CHAPEL HILL, TN - Normally, Captain Tyler Benefield is the one responding when disaster strikes... Serving as a captain at Plainview Fire Station #55, one of the newest stations providing aid to Southeast Rutherford County, Benefield oversees crews that respond to a wide range of emergencies—from serious auto accidents to structure fires. But on Friday night, while he was on shift protecting others, the unthinkable happened to him (GoFundMe).

Captain Benefield and his wife, Harlee, lost everything when their Chapel Hill home caught fire. The sound of smoke alarms alerted Harlee to the danger, giving her just enough time to escape. There was no opportunity to save the couple’s beloved dogs, and she fled with only the clothes she was wearing.

Over the course of his career, Benefield has answered countless emergency calls. He has helped save lives, rescued unconscious victims from overturned vehicles, and trained firefighters under his command in the skills necessary to do the same. Time and again, he has put his own life at risk so others could live.

The possibility of responding to a fire at his own home is a fear many firefighters quietly carry, yet one rarely believe will become reality—especially while they are on duty. That fear became reality Friday evening as the Rutherford County Fire & Rescue Department caught word about the blaze in neighboring Marshall County, a blaze that was destroying the home of one of their own. 

The captains wife stated on Facebook, "Thanking the good Lord above for waking me up and getting me out alive. I don’t even have the words right now. Everything we worked so hard for is gone. I made it out with nothing but the clothes on my back." Harlee wrote those words at about 5 AM on Saturday morning (01/24/26).

Rutherford County Mayor Joe Carr expressed gratitude that both Tyler and Harlee are okay, particularly given the fact that Harlee was inside the home when the fire broke out. Carr emphasized the strength of the county’s close-knit community and the bond among first responders and county employees.

“Tragic events like this don’t have to be life altering when you have family and friends,” Carr said. He then urged the community to support a firefighter who serves others every day, adding, “Rutherford County is family and we will help. Let’s stand together as we Stand Firm for Tyler and Harlee.”

The fire claimed far more than a structure. The couple lost every possession they owned—clothing, furniture, and irreplaceable keepsakes passed down through the years—along with their home. Despite the devastation, friends and family are thankful the loving couple have one another as they begin navigating the long road ahead.

Friends have organized a GoFundMe campaign to help the couple rebuild, writing, “The heartbreak and shock of such a loss is unimaginable, and they are now facing the overwhelming task of starting over from scratch.”

Captain Benefield, who serves Rutherford County from the Plainview Fire Station in Christiana, and his wife are now in the earliest stages of recovery. The process ahead includes months of documenting losses for insurance purposes and years of discovering the everyday items that were lost. For now, the couple must also secure temporary housing while planning for the future.

As dangerously cold temperatures approach—forecasted to drop into the negatives Monday night, with wind chills expected to fall below minus five degrees—the need for immediate support is especially urgent. Area residents, particularly those who have benefited from the lifesaving work of county firefighters, are being asked to consider giving back during this critical time. Prayers for the couple are also encouraged as they face the days ahead.

• The GoFundMe page is active and can be accessed at: https://gofund.me/523cb3d33.

Below (L to R): RCFRD Captain Tyler Benefield and his wife, Harlee. Photo of their home.

Rutherford County Fire & Rescue’s operations division includes more than 115 uniformed personnel working around the clock across multiple stations. This past Friday night, one of its captains—accustomed to being on the front lines of emergencies—found himself on the other side of tragedy. Funds raised through the GoFundMe will help replace essential items such as clothing, toiletries, and basic household goods, and assist with immediate expenses. Recovery from a loss of this magnitude can take months or even years, with insurance claims often remaining open for extended periods, confirming the importance of community support during the long rebuilding process.