Help Linda Rebuild After House Fire Tragedy

Help Linda Gonzales Rebuild After Tragic House Fire

This fundraiser has been created to support Linda Gonzales and her family during this unimaginable time. First and foremost, we thank God for saving my mom’s life.

In the early hours of Saturday, February 1st at 4:00 AM, a miracle unfolded. My mom had recently opened her home to a woman in need—someone who had been living out of her car and was staying with her while finding permanent housing. Early that morning, this woman woke up to the smell of smoke and immediately alerted my mom. My mom rushed through the house and discovered a small fire in my little brother’s vacant bedroom. She tried to put it out, but within minutes, the flames spread rapidly.

My mom is a fighter, and even as the fire intensified, she resisted leaving. Those around her had to force her out for her safety. She then ran to my house—three doors down—barefoot, hysterical, and burned from the neck down. She was rushed to a nearby hospital and later transferred to a burn ward. By God’s grace, despite suffering second-degree burns, she avoided major trauma to her chest and lungs. She has returned to my home now and is in good spirits.

If you know my mom, you know how strong and selfless she is. She is the best person I know. She has spent the last 16 years caring for others as a caretaker, always putting others before herself. Seeing her lose everything—her home, her beloved dog Daisy, and all the memories she built in that house—is devastating. Daisy was found unconscious by firefighters, and despite their best efforts, they couldn’t bring her back. My mom’s heart is shattered and so is mine to see her in so much pain. My three babies lost their grandmas house and all the memories they had with her in that house. But like my 5 year old son said, ‘thank God it was the house that went down mom, but at least grandma is still here’.

This was a tragic and unexpected accident, and we are still waiting to determine the cause of the fire. Just last week, I was raising $15,000 to support other fire victims in need, and today, I find myself creating a fundraiser for my own mom, who has lost everything. Life is unpredictable, but we are holding onto faith and strength.

We are reaching out for any support to help my mom replace essential belongings, cover Daisy’s cremation, and begin the long process of rebuilding from scratch. Any contribution, big or small, would mean the world to us. If you’re unable to give, we deeply appreciate your prayers and words of encouragement.

A Message to Everyone: Please Check Your Smoke Detectors

Through all of this, we’ve learned a critical lesson—please check your smoke detectors and have fire extinguishers readily available. My mom’s home may have only had one smoke detector, and it wasn’t working. If she had been alone that night, she might not have made it out. Please, take the time to ensure your home is equipped with functioning smoke alarms. It can truly save lives.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your generosity, kindness, and support during this difficult time. With God’s help and the love of our family and friends, we will get through this—stronger than ever.