A dropped cigarette is believed to have caused a fire that destroyed the home of a Carolina couple Monday night, family members said Tuesday.

Carolina firefighters were dispatched to the couple’s Huckabaa Bass Lane home around 9:25 p.m.

Faye and Julius Bass were inside their home, but were able to escape without major injury, daughter Tonya Walden said.

Carolina Fire Chief David Fite said his department battled the fire until a little after midnight Tuesday.

Walden said she believes the fire started when her father dropped a cigarette on the bed.

Still, the exact cause is unknown, Fite said.

“I’m not going to investigate, and I don’t think there is going to be any further investigation,” he said.

“Everything is a total loss,” Walden said. “They lost everything.”

Fite said the structure was a total loss.

Walden said her parents have nothing left, including the cash from their Social Security, Faye’s dentures and their clothes.

Walden said her parents were planning to seek help from the Red Cross after her father got out of the emergency room on Tuesday.

“I contacted the American Red Cross, the Christian Service Center and the Salvation Army on their behalf,” Fite said.

Walden said her parents are staying with her sister who also lives in Covington County.

The family didn’t have home insurance, but community members have stepped up and established an account at the Peoples Bank of Red Level or donations can be dropped off at Mitchell’s Café.

Walden said all donations would be greatly appreciated.

For more information, call 743-1103 or 488-4948.