The Dec. 19 fire destroyed a new house and an in-home bakery; two dogs survived but the family’s cat is missing.
VILLA RICA, Ga. — A Villa Rica couple returned from a Christmas lights outing Friday night to find their house in flames, a fast-moving fire that firefighters say left the structure a total loss and scattered debris across family land that dates back nearly a century.
The fire on Paynes Lake Road displaced Stephanie and Thomas Skrzypek and their four children less than a week before Christmas. Local fire crews cut into smoke and heat to rescue two dogs, reviving them outside the home. By the time the family drove back from Hiram, the roof had fallen and rooms were burning end to end. Investigators have focused on a possible lithium battery failure tied to a gaming controller near a child’s bedroom. Officials have not released a formal report, but the family said they were told device batteries can ignite and burn at very high temperatures, pushing flames rapidly through nearby materials.
“It took us about an hour to get home, and everything was fully engulfed,” Stephanie Skrzypek said. She said the family left around dusk for a tradition of viewing holiday displays in Marietta. On the drive, they received word that engines were headed up their gravel driveway. When they arrived, crews were spraying the eaves and knocking down hotspots in the kitchen and living room. The two dogs were unconscious when firefighters carried them out, she said, but both came around after oxygen and fluids. “I’m just counting my blessings that my kids weren’t here,” she said. Thomas Skrzypek added, “We are all together. That’s the biggest Christmas gift I can have all year.”
County officials are reviewing the scene for final cause and origin. The family said investigators examined scorched flooring and electronics near a boy’s room and collected debris they believe included the remains of a small rechargeable battery. Fire crews contained the blaze before it spread to trees or outbuildings, but the inside of the house was gutted. The family’s cat, a 10-year companion, did not turn up in the first day of searching and was still missing as of the start of the week. No injuries to firefighters were reported. The family’s in-home bakery, Sweet Tooth Creations by Stephanie, was also destroyed, including mixers, ovens, and decorated cake dummies used for wedding consultations.
The family built the house two to three years ago after clearing a homesite on property that Stephanie said has been in her family almost 100 years. The setting is rural, with spaced homes, timber, and long drives. December typically brings a rush of custom cake orders for the bakery. Stephanie said holiday bookings evaporated overnight, along with specialty ingredients and tools she stored in a dedicated workspace off the kitchen. Photos taken during and after the fire show a collapsed roof line and framing left at the front of the house. Soot marks trace window openings; the interior is blackened down to studs and slab. The smell of smoke hung over the site days later as friends hauled bags and offered storage.
Next steps involve parallel tracks: a fire investigation, insurance claims, and rebuilding plans. The family said they expect written findings from Carroll County Fire Rescue this week, followed by meetings with adjusters and contractors. If the final report cites a consumer product component, officials could alert federal safety regulators, a standard step in product-related fires. The couple said they intend to rebuild on the same footprint, pending demolition, debris removal, and county permits. They have begun listing household items for claims, including appliances, furnishings, and bakery equipment. Friends set up a fundraiser that had topped $14,000 by midweek, according to the family.
On Sunday, neighbors stopped by with hot meals and paper goods. A child’s scooter leaned against the only standing front frame. A string of outdoor lights, hung before the fire, sagged above the driveway where a utility crew checked a power pole. “I’m devastated at this,” Stephanie said, her voice catching as she stood near the concrete pad where her ovens once sat. Then she looked at her children, who were bundled in coats and watching the dogs rest on blankets. “We’re going to rebuild it, just the way it was, maybe with a few tweaks,” she said.
As of Monday night, investigators had not announced a final cause but continued to evaluate the suspected battery component and burn patterns. The family said an insurance inspection is scheduled this week, with a contractor walk-through to follow. A timeline for debris removal is expected after the county clears the site.
Author note: Last updated December 29, 2025.