Family, dogs escape early morning Millbrook house fire; no injuries reported

Amanda Pevey

Elmore Autauga News

In the early morning hours of Sunday, January 18, 2026, a fire erupted at the Morris family home on Ridgeview Drive, turning an ordinary night into a nightmare for Lindsey Morris and her family, who were forced to escape with little more than their lives and their dogs.

“At approximately 1:58 a.m., the Millbrook Fire Department was dispatched after receiving a 911 call reporting a residential structure fire on Ridgeview Drive,” said Captain Doyle Campbell, Fire Marshal for the Millbrook Fire Department. “Millbrook Fire units arrived on scene in less than four minutes and encountered heavy fire conditions at the rear of the residence, including the rear portion of the roof.”

Firefighters worked quickly to stop the flames from spreading further.

“Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control within about 25 minutes,” Campbell said. “The two adult occupants and their household dogs were safely evacuated, and there were no injuries reported to the occupants or fire personnel.”

Investigators later determined the fire began on the back porch and was accidental.

“The fire extended up the exterior wall and into the attic space, resulting in significant fire involvement in the rear portion of the home,” Campbell said. “The residence sustained heavy fire damage to the rear of the structure, with moderate fire and smoke damage throughout the remainder of the home.”

For Morris, the loss is deeply personal. She purchased the home in November 2014 and lived there for more than a decade, building a life filled with memories inside its walls.

“My boyfriend and I were at home when the fire started and we were awakened by it,” Morris said. “We were able to grab a few personal belongings and get out safely with our two dogs.”

While grateful that everyone made it out unharmed, Morris now faces the difficult reality of rebuilding. She is a hairstylist and the owner of Hairopy, a hair salon she opened in October 2024, and says the kindness shown by the community has helped her get through the shock of the loss.

“We have received so much support from the community, and we are truly appreciative and thankful for everything that has been done so far,” Morris said.

As the family works to recover, their most pressing need is a short-term rental home while repairs and rebuilding take place. Finding housing has been challenging, as they have two dogs, including a standard poodle.

Those who would like to help can reach out to Morris directly through Facebook, https://facebook.com/lindsey.morris3348 or Cashapp $LinMorris1005.  Currently she is only requesting cash, or gift cards, and no household items due to limited space to store physical donations.

Though the road ahead is uncertain, Morris says the compassion shown by neighbors and strangers alike has been a reminder that even in the aftermath of loss, community can help light the way forward.