Flames engulfed the top floor and rear of the townhouse that was home to Burnette, her partner and seven children, ranging in age from toddler to teens.

Durham Fire Department officials pronounced the home "unlivable" Monday evening. Four of Burnette's children were at home because of a teacher work day, she said, when she began to smell smoke pouring out of her attic at about 1:15 p.m.

She said she called 911 but her cell phone cut off before she could ask the dispatcher for help. As fire devoured the upper level of her home, Burnette managed to get the children -- ages 6, 8, 12 and 14 -- out and was hauling the family's television from the two-story residence when Durham firefighters arrived.

Firefighters -- responding to several other calls from neighbors about the smoke -- took control of the blaze within 10 minutes, said Fire Department Battalion Chief T.W. Reams.

Reams said the firefighters told Burnette and her partner not to return to the house for any more of her possessions. "We advise people to get out and stay out," he said.

While the fire destroyed the home's attic and upper level, it began on the bottom level of the house in the fireplace, Reams said. The fire caused some damage to the attic of an adjoining home, he said, but did not spread to the other two townhouses attached.

Bundled up as she watched firefighters hack away sections of the collapsing attic, Burnette could only shake her head and hope for the best. "I really don't know [what we'll do]. ... I just hope some of my stuff is OK. All we got is rented," she said.

Police and Fire Department officials referred Burnette to the Durham-based Central North Carolina Chapter of the American Red Cross, which sends emergency services workers like Cheryl Williams to assist families left homeless by fires.

Williams said the Red Cross met with the family Monday afternoon and will pay for the family to stay in a nearby hotel for three nights while they work on finding another place to live.

Williams, who said the Red Cross doesn't accept donations for specific families, said Burnette also got money for food and clothing to help the family get through the coming days.

Want to help? To help the family left homeless by fire, contact Cheryl Williams at the Red Cross at 489-6541, ext. 336.