Fire Forces 9/11 Hero and Former Louisiana Lawmaker into Homelessness

When the flames ripped through the Cox family’s home in Mansfield on the night of Aug. 17, three generations fled with only the clothes on their backs. The fire, officials say, started in the garage—likely an electrical malfunction—but that simple explanation does little to soften the shock.

68‑year‑old Kenny Cox, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel and former state representative who served three terms from 2011‑2023, now finds himself without a roof over his head. "It burned me out of house and home; I lost everything I had," he told USA Today Network, his voice raw with disbelief.

His daughter suffered serious burns in the inferno, a wound that will need time and care to heal. Meanwhile, two small dogs, the family’s faithful companions, ran back into the blaze looking for the children and never emerged. "My wife, Candie, has had a really hard time dealing with all of this," Cox added, his words heavy with grief.

Even though the family escaped physically, the loss of cherished belongings—photos, mementos, the very walls that held their stories—feels like a deeper, invisible theft. "You can’t replace that," he said, a hint of resignation in his tone.

Friends have stepped in where the fire left a void. Tiara Johnson, a close confidante, launched a GoFundMe campaign to help the Cox family get back on their feet. The online fundraiser is already gathering donations, a small beacon of hope amid the ashes.

Cox, who was awarded the Soldier’s Medal for his valor at the Pentagon on 9/11, confessed that the house fire sparked a sudden flashback to that harrowing day. "I had a flashback to 9/11 during the house fire," he recalled, underscoring how the past can resurface in the most unexpected ways.

In the meantime, he’s trying to make the best of a terrible situation. An older home he owns is being patched up as a temporary shelter while insurance negotiations continue. "I’m trying to get it into livable shape so my family has somewhere to stay," Cox explained.

For now, the seven members of the Cox household are scattered across a handful of hotel rooms, each night a reminder that stability can vanish in an instant. Yet, amid the wreckage, there’s a lingering sense that community, generosity, and a dash of resilience might just help rebuild what was lost.