UNION COUNTY,Miss (WTVA) - A beloved coach and his family lost their East Union home in a fire Sunday afternoon.

The home is on County Road 197 in East Union.

One side of Chris Basil and his family’s home is completely destroyed.

Chris is an admired long time coach at East Union Attendance Center.

The community of Fairfield is ready to rally around him and his family with support.

“He will do just about anything for anybody," said Tabitha Walton. "He is a pillar in our community. I am sure this community will help them get what they need.”

Walton’s husband works at the school with Chris, and she says Chris played baseball at Ole Miss and lost his trophies and awards.
But that is nothing compared to a life.

“Things can be bought. I am just glad, lucky and full of prayer that no one was home,” Walton said.

Chris, his wife who actually worked as the school’s nurse, and their three children were away visiting a relative at the time of the fire.

Later that night the fire rekindled, causing more damage.

The home is considered a loss.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.