A fire that severely damaged a Hanover townhouse has left a family of six in need of help.

T.J. and Jennifer Hontz and their four children are now staying at a Residence Inn in Linthicum, and are sifting through the items that survived the two-alarm blaze over the weekend.

"I bought the renters' insurance, but I didn’t plan on having a fire," Jennifer Hontz said in an interview with Patch. "It’s just a warning for people. It happened really fast … it was from a grill. We had made dinner and the neighbors came to the door and said your deck is on fire.’”

Now, the family is scrambling to find an adequate rental home. They are eager to get settled because the Hontz's oldest son, Justin, is scheduled to have heart surgery in five weeks.

"We just have to get normal back for that," Hontz said. "He just got out of the hospital a few weeks ago and now his house is gone.”

Renters' insurance covered much of what was lost in the fire, but Jennifer Hontz said any receipts for items were lost as well.

"You find out that insurance only covers so much," she said. "Right now we’re just trying to get the basics down. We have a hotel and friends, but we need furniture and some other things.”

Hontz said she is grateful that no one was hurt in the fire, and was appreciative of the assistance of family and friends.

“It’s surreal," she said. "The 9-year-old is upset because she doesn’t think it’s fair. But they can be mad and upset, and it’s OK.”

Donations can be made to T.J. Hontz's father, who lives on Higgins Drive in Odenton.

The address is: 488 Higgins Drive, Odenton, MD 21113.

For those wishing to donate clothing, here are their sizes:

Jennifer Hontz: Size 8-10
T.J. Hontz: 38 width x 30 length pants. Extra-large shirt.
Lauren, age 9: Size 10-12
Bryce and Ryan, age 13: Large shirts, 32-33 pants.
Justin, age 15: Shorts size 34.