Fire Took Everything: Help This Family Heal

Former preschool student of mine and her Family left with Nothing. I have set up this GoFundMe because, in addition to losing their home and Everything in it to the fire- they’ve also lost their livelihood. Mom’s place of employment also burned and dad’s tools and work equipment Burned in the garage. The financial burden is immense.

It’s like a scene out of a movie, only this was their living nightmare…

Like so many in Altadena ,C.A. on the night of Tuesday, January 7, 2025, this young family of 4 went to bed without power (a common occurrence during high wind and red flag warnings).

Due to the extreme winds, a restful night was not to be—the parents lay in bed, wide awake, LED candles lighting the room with sounds of 80+ mile per hour winds howling, windows rattling, and trees falling nearby. Their 4-year-old daughter scared of these sounds, was in their room for the night and reassured it was JUST the wind, but a little after 3 a.m., that all changed… Smoke engulfed their home and orange flames illuminated the window.

Immediately, mom scooped up their 8-month-old infant and grabbed their daughter by the hand, while dad fumbled for the car keys. They ran out of the house and saw the back of the home was already ablaze. Barefooted, they ran toward the car—wind speeds made it difficult to stand, smoke difficult to see and breathe, but they and their other family members ran for their lives. Flames, smoke, embers, leaves, twigs, branches—flying debris swirled all around them, and then just as they reached their vehicle, a tree branch fell and broke out the car window. Only then did the 4-year-old let out a loud scream and begin to cry. Terrified, they literally jumped into the car, put it in drive, and hit the gas. Flames blowing toward them, another 10+ foot tree falling behind them—just missing their vehicle by inches.

As they drove off and looked in the rearview, they saw their rental home and the neighboring homes- that of 7 other family members on fire. At sunrise, they received confirmation—all four units burned—EVERYTHING they owned inside and out lost and turned to ash.

They loved their quaint Altadena home and community, but even more so, the fact that they were surrounded by family. In a four-plex, their young children were growing up together, and they, working parents, had the support of family nearby.

Memories of them sharing large family meals, playing, and riding bikes in the courtyard are all they have. That, the clothes on their back, a car, and the emotional trauma and a harrowing story they wish they’d never experienced.- the financial burden and emotional toll is immense.

As mentioned, the extended family all lived within a four-plex community , but “it ALL burned” (a point their young daughter keeps reiterating). As such, they have no family to find refuge with. Their young daughter frequently recounting the events of that night—the wind, the smoke, the fire, and the aftermath. The loss of EVERYTHING. Her innocence, her sense of safety and security shattered.

This family is in survival mode. They haven’t really had a moment to process the loss or their personal trauma. The primary focus has been on the safety and well-being—both physical and mental—of their young children and their extended family. Their infant's childcare center also burned. This makes returning back to work that much more difficult. This family has been driving around collecting community resources—water, food, masks, baby items, warm clothing and blankets, shoes, socks for themselves, and to share with other members within the community who have also lost everything.

I personally know this family because, over the last 8 years, I have been fortunate to have been their daughter's and her cousins' infant/toddler and preschool teacher. This family is appreciative of anything and everything big and small. Again, I have set up this GoFundMe because, in addition to losing their homes, they’ve also lost their livelihood as their jobs were also located in the burn area. The financial burden is immense.

They need money for day-to-day living expenses. They will utilize money donated to buy hot/prepared meals, baby formula, diapers, wipes, warm & fitted undergarments, jackets, and weather-appropriate shoes and socks. In addition to paying for car insurance (the car is vital, it is the one tangible thing they own and are utilizing to gather much-needed resources from various donation centers around town), gas to get from point A to B, money to pay for cell phone bills—their primary source of communication with community outreach and medical services. Credit card bills still need to be paid—they had purchased new household and kitchen items for Christmas. No one could have predicted this.

Basic living essentials and hygiene products are their priority.

Any and all donations are greatly appreciated—no amount is too small.

Thank you for your generosity-

as it helps to alleviate some of the burden. Additionally, a Thank you to those who took the time to read and share this family’s story