Family in Stanton Loses Home in Devastating Fire on Nada Tunnel Road

According to authorities, Saturday, July 5, began like any other summer day for the Branham family. Sarah Branham had taken her two daughters to a birthday party at Cave Run Lake—a joyful outing with no sign of what the night would hold.

But just a few hours later, everything changed.

Because Sarah ran out of gas on the way home, her husband Jamie, came to their rescue, bringing gas to get them home. But when the family pulled into their driveway on Nada Tunnel Road in Stanton, something didn’t feel right. Through the glass front door, they saw an unfamiliar glow.

The fire broke out around 9 p.m. The cause is still unknown.

Inside that house were not just belongings, but years of memories. The home had been in the family for generations, built on land passed down by Sarah’s grandfather—meant to be a legacy for her children.

It had been Sarah's grandfather’s property that he had gifted them. The home was at least 100 years old, and it cannot be insured due to the age.

Adding to the heartbreak was a major challenge for firefighters: there is no fire hydrant on Nada Tunnel Road. Crews had to drive two miles to the Middle Fork Volunteer Fire Department to refill their trucks—repeatedly.

In total, nearly 15,000 gallons of water were used to put out the blaze.

Now, as the family begins to process their loss and figure out what’s next, they’re hoping this tragedy brings attention to a critical need in their area—better access to emergency water sources.

Living near the Red River Gorge, a popular tourist destination, the Branhams say their community deserves better infrastructure to protect residents and visitors alike.

While the family stays with Sarah’s brother in Clay City, a GoFundMe has been set up to help them rebuild and move forward.

They also posted a list of clothing sizes for each family member on Facebook, as well as a way to donate to the family through Cash App.