While a soldier is fighting in Afghanistan, his family in Marion County is trying to pick up the pieces after their home caught on fire.
Engineers now say the home is a total loss and will have to be knocked down.
Army Staff Sergeant Richard Leadingham was deployed  just two days after the fire happened on March 8th. Donations have been pouring in to the Francis Marion Military Academy in Ocala, which is leading the relief effort. They are hosting a meeting on Thursday with other organizations to determine how else they can help. Meanwhile, Leadingham's wife and four of their children are staying at a family member's house.