Florida Family of Six Loses Home in Garage Fire Tied to Tesla Charger — Father Calls Escape a "Miracle"

A Sanford, Florida, family says they consider themselves fortunate to be alive after an early-morning house fire on Dec. 2 destroyed their home. Mina Raky, a husband, father of four and school teacher who was finishing a Ph.D. paper, says he overslept that morning but had not worn his noise-cancelling headphones — a detail he now calls the first of several small miracles that helped save his family's lives.

Mina RakyScene from a home fire in Sanford, Fla., on Dec. 2, 2025, that originated from a garage

How the Fire Started

Raky tells PEOPLE he heard popping noises around 5 a.m. and went to the garage thinking there might be an intruder. Instead he found a charging Tesla surrounded by smoke. According to a report from the Sanford Fire Department, shared with PEOPLE and local police, the origin of the fire was at or around the Tesla charging station in the garage. The department said the blaze did not appear intentional or suspicious, and the exact cause remains under investigation.

Mina RakyA fire originated in a Sanford, Fla., home's garage where a Tesla was charging on Dec. 2, 2025

Escape and Rescue

Raky tried to pull the car out of the garage, but his wife's vehicle was parked in the driveway and blocked a clear exit. With no way to move the Tesla, he ran through the house waking his wife and four children — Lily, 18; Emmanuel, 12; Liana, 11; and Miarose, 8.

Mina RakyMinka Raky's dog being tended to following a home fire in Sanford, Fla., on Dec. 2, 2025

The three younger children and his wife were able to get out quickly, but Lily was on the second floor. Raky says the stairwell was already engulfed in flames, so he rushed to the backyard and called to her at a second-story window. She opened the window and jumped to safety. First responders gave Lily oxygen at the scene; she was transported by ambulance and later released the same day. The family's dog received treatment as well and is recovering.

Mina RakyThe aftermath of Mina Raky's home and vehicle following a Dec. 2, 2025, fire

"We lost everything. It's a big trauma," Raky told PEOPLE. "But when you look at the whole scenario, you see that God's hand surrounded us. He woke me up on time."

Aftermath

The Rakys' home was destroyed and the family is temporarily staying in an Airbnb. They have received substantial community support from their church, county services and the local school system. Lily launched a GoFundMe asking for help to replace clothing, furniture, photographs and other essentials as the family begins to rebuild.

Raky said he had owned the Tesla for more than a year without prior charging issues. While defending the vehicle, he urged others to avoid charging electric cars inside an attached garage: "Build a charging station outside your home. Do not charge in your garage." Tesla did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

The family is focused on restoring normalcy for the children ahead of the holidays by replacing essentials and finding ways to maintain routines. Despite the loss, Raky emphasized gratitude for the outcome and the support that has followed.