For Bell, that sight was almost as disturbing as the fire itself.
"We just wished we could've gotten more out," she said.
It's the second time in two years firefighters in the area have watched a house burn because of unpaid fees. Last year, Gene Cranick of Obion County and his family
lost all of their possessions in a house fire, along with three dogs and a cat, because the fire fee wasn't paid.
Related: No pay, no spray: Firefighters watch home burn
People in the city of South Fulton have fire protection, but those in the surrounding county do not unless they pay a $75 annual fee.
The city makes no exceptions.
"There's no way to go to every fire and be able to keep up the manpower, the equipment, and just the funding for the fire department," said South Fulton Mayor David Crocker.