Help EB Recover from House Fire

My little sister, Elizabeth (aka EB), woke up around 5 AM EST last night - to the bright light of a fire in her room. Realizing she’d accidentally fallen asleep with a small candle still burning, she rushed to try and put out the growing flames. As they spread, she ran upstairs to wake our parents, who immediately called the Fire Department. By the time they all escaped, it was too late for EB to grab anything. 

I happened to be getting off work late, around 2 AM PST, when I got a text from our mom: “ไฟ ไหม้บ้าน” (Thai -> English translation: “house fire”). I respond with a bunch of question marks to the unusual message. Soon after, I receive a video clip of smoke pluming from the busted windows of our childhood home, with flashing red lights reflecting off silver ladders leaning towards every opening. The place was surrounded by first responders in bunker gear. I could hear EB bawling in the background. “I’m so sorry” she cries. She calls out the names of her two pet lizards, Dante & PB. My heart breaks. I demand to know that all family members are safe. Confirmed. Thank god she woke up. But before long, ALL of her belongings were incinerated. 

Her prior possessions are now but a pile of burnt rubble on the front lawn. She lost her glasses, electronics (phone, computer, TV, gaming consoles), medications, her entire wardrobe, book collection, makeup, jewelry, supplies for her small business, mementos, and so much more than could ever quite be replaced. But through devastation, our only option is to rebuild.

The house is currently uninhabitable. We are told the family will be displaced for about six months. While mom and dad are up in a hotel, EB is searching for an apartment. We are so immensely grateful and relieved that insurance is able to help with much of the destruction, but EB could use a hand to get her footing back. Truly anything helps.

Dante & PB are okay, by the way. Thankfully, the gecko cage was in another room, which was mostly preserved at the time of the emergency. There’s so much to be thankful for - from the family’s physical safety, to the efficiency of the Montgomery County fire squad, and to friends offering support.

When the things we never expect to happen to us, suddenly happen to us, hope appears in the form of love. Thank you for taking the time to read our story, for your consideration, your assistance, or for just sharing this page. We appreciate every act of love more than we can even express.

Thank you. ❤️EBs Small Business (Piercing shop books are temporarily closed but inquires welcome - she will get back to scheduling & replies when she can. Thanks so much for understanding.)