WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Losing your home to a fire, no matter the circumstance, is devastating. Losing your home to a fire believed to be set by someone you know is earth-shattering. That's the reality 85-year-old Lydia Davis of Winston-Salem and her family are facing.
Davis lost her home after a life of giving her all to others.
"She's always looked after people. She's always went out of her way to take care of people, so kind things, and this is what she got for it," Michael Davis, Lydia Davis' Grandson said.
Both Winston-Salem police and Michael Davis said the person who lit his grandmother's house on fire was once a family friend, 57-year-old Mechelle Smith.
"She's [Mechelle] been around for a long time, like we've known her for a long time," Michael Davis said.
Police said firefighters responded to an arson call off East 3rd Street in Winston-Salem where they believe Smith intentionally set the fire. Investigators say there were five people and a dog in the house at the time.
Smith has been charged with five counts of attempted murder, first-degree arson, and felony cruelty to animals.
Michael Davis said his grandmother helped Smith throughout the years and that just days before the fire, she was sleeping on her couch.
This is a small example of his grandmother's nature, as she's taken care of him for years. She officially adopted him in 2002 alongside several others.
"There's definitely upwards of like 80 children that she had fostered and she adopted - I wanna say seven," Michael Davis said.
Although everyone in the house got out safely, the Davis family dog died in the fire.
"Sock was our family dog. He was a mess, man," Michael Davis laughed. "He didn't burn up. It was peaceful, he was asleep, it was the smoke."
There's now a memorial for Sock in the front yard.
As for Lydia Davis, her grandson tells WFMY News 2's Nixon Norman, she'll be fine.
"When we come back over here or talk about it, it's hard on her. She's 85. We've been here for almost 30 years, but the person she is, she's gonna be fine, like…she's gonna be fine," Michael Davis said.
As for her heart of gold and smile, he said they are here to stay.
The family said they're planning to rebuild the house and move forward.
Police said they're still trying to figure out why Smith set the home on fire, but she's behind bars without bond.
