Help the Purma Family Recover After Fire

On the frigid, 20 degree night of February 20th, the Purmas were getting ready for an ordinary Wednesday dinner. Mackenzie had clam chowder on the stove and bread in the oven. Charles was upstairs when he smelled something. Smoke.

Naturally, he came downstairs to see if it was coming from the kitchen. Mackenzie said she didn’t think so, but maybe the hot oven made him smell something? He went back upstairs.

Soon, it was unmistakable—there was a haze of smoke in their upstairs bedroom. He swiftly came downstairs and told his family to get on their coats and get outside. Mackenzie dialed 911 and was told others had already called.

Once outside, it was apparent that the adjacent condo was on fire. Flames reached out of the roof and smoke poured into the night sky. Firefighters arrived and after some minutes, finally began spraying water into the roof.

Soon, Mackenzie saw that in the condo on the other side of the one engulfed in fire, an older woman was silhouetted against the window. She seemed disoriented. Quickly Mackenzie alerted the firefighters to help this woman, and thankfully, after 20 minutes, she, another person and a pet were all rescued and all were unharmed. Also, during the time of this rescue, no dousing of the fire was taking place, and so the fire continued to burn unchecked.

Flames then shot up out of the Purma’s condo roof, and their home was most definitely on fire.

Hours passed, and later, the Purmas would learn that 100,000 gallons of water (the equivalent to 15 swimming pools) were used to extinguish the fire. Complicating the firefighting was the extreme, unusual cold, which was causing the water to freeze quickly on surfaces, making the firefighting dangerous in an additional way.

After watching their home burn, cold and tired, and with only phones, two computers and the clothes they were wearing, they drove to Mackenzie’s father’s house in Georgetown, where, exhausted, they fell asleep after 2 a.m.

***

I (Tiffany) and my husband and kids have been the Purma’s friends for 12 years. We are in a homeschool co-op together and have done life together, with all the ups and downs, for all that time. So, I can confidently say that there is hardly a family out there more deserving of our love and support than this one.

Of course, if you know Mackenzie and Charles, you know they are resourceful, resilient, and strong. Mackenzie wants all of you to know that they have excellent insurance and truly do not need anything. They are truly grateful every day that the fire did not occur in the middle of the night and that they were able to get out alive and well.

However, I am here to say that if you are looking for a way to love the Purmas, donations could help so much. As you can imagine, they are trying to quickly return to a semblance of normal life for their three kids. They have fortunately secured a rental near the kids’ activities, but it is unfurnished and they are working to get resettled and get the necessities of life.

For those who know the Purmas, you know what a lovely family they are. For those who may not know them, let me just say that I have so much admiration for the devoted, loving, hardworking and *good* people that they are. I am honored and blessed to call them friends. I cannot count the number of times that Mackenzie and her family have come through for others when they have had emergencies, new babies, deaths in the family, and just the waves that life brings each of us.

So, even though they don’t *need* anything, I am asking if we could come through for them—make their lives just that little bit easier, bring them a measure of peace—and bless them abundantly in the way they have blessed so many with their love and generosity.

If you can and want to donate, we would all be truly grateful and appreciative, from the bottom of our hearts. Thank you for considering.

Much love,

Tiffany, on behalf of the Purma Family