Help the Harrington Family Rebuild
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A sudden development of firestorm
Early Thursday July 26, 2018 residents of the Land Park Subdivision in east Redding, California became increasingly concerned as they watched the Carr fire far in the distance to the south. My sister Susan Harrington, a retired Mercy Medical Center nurse and her husband Daniel Harrington, a retired route sales manager, were on a short summer camping trip on the southern Oregon coast when their son David called them and suggested that they return to Redding to prepare for a potential evacuation. The fire was becoming a threat to them and many other residents in Redding. At that time David could see that Dan and Susan's home was not in immediate danger, but was making efforts to be prepared for an evacuation just in case, and thankfully moved out important documents and most of their cherished photos.
Daniel and Susan's son Dan, his wife Charee and their two children live in the same subdivision, only two blocks away. Both Dan and Charee work at Mercy Medical Center in Redding. On Thursday David and Charee's parents were helping Dan and Charee remove their most valued items out as well, and yet the Harrington family did not think that the fire would ever actually reach their neighborhood.
After receiving David's call, Dan and Susan hitched up their camp trailer and drove for home, only to find that the main road east to Redding had been closed due to the fire. They were forced to take a long, arduous, traffic ridden detour home. By the time they arrived, much later in the day, they could see from their living room window, down the valley, and over the river, that the fire was steadily approaching, more threatening now, and yet still in the distance. It appeared to them that they had some time to gather up a few more of their belongings.
A narrow escape
Only minutes from when they arrived home however, the fierce winds blew the fire rapidly toward a large red estate on the other side of the river. Dan, Susan and their family were struck with amazement as they witnessed the estate blow up into flames, right before their eyes, and frighteningly watch the wind driven fire jump the Sacrament River and begin to sweep up the hill toward their home!! "We have to go right now!" Daniel insisted, and so the family ran for their cars!
They fled their homes in dreadful fear of being burned. As they were driving away, their backs toward the firestorm, they turned and saw a tornado of inferno soar toward Daniel and Susan's home. The family felt the terrifying sensations of knowing they had escaped with only minutes to spare!! Since that traumatic, even surreal event, they have said to one another, over and over again, "We could have lost our lives, but we are all safe, and that is what truly matters."
(Daniel and Susan's home after the fire)
A glaring reality
Later that evening Dan and Charee watched on their I phone as their home alarm system gave messages, such as, "Get out, Get out, Fire!" Not long after the messages it was confirmed that their home was entirely burned. Daniel and Susan were informed, not until the following day, that their home had also burned to the ground.
Daniel and Susan's son David and his wife Erin experienced loss in the fire as well. They were in the process of building a home in west Redding. Thankfully the foundation was the only portion of their home that was close to completion. During the construction of their home, David and Erin were storing several personal items in Daniel and Susan's home, which were all burned. During the final scary moments in Susan's home, Erin, in her haste to help Daniel and Susan get their valuables out, forgot to grab her purse and cell phone. They were burned also.
Daniel and Susan's daughter Mary and her husband Jeff have been a comforting support to Mary’s family during this difficult time. Thankfully Mary and her young family live in Sacramento where her parents, siblings and family can go for unity, love and reassurance as they figure out where to go from here. (Mary and her young family are standing in her parent's back yard, in the photo below. the scene behind Mary's family is the very scene that was on fire the evening of July 26th. The estate they saw catch fire is to Mary's left in the background)
Both Susan and Daniel's families have also offered help, lodging and encouragement throughout the traumatic events. It is Susan's siblings who are teaming together to ask for support for their sister and her family.
Although insurance companies will recover losses of their homes to a point, the total loss will not be covered. The Harrington's will need to pay deductibles, purchase clothing, furniture, food, medical needs, tools, and other immediate necessities. They will have to absorb the high costs of rental lodging during the months they work to rebuild their homes.
Please help the Harrington family rebuild their lives and their homes from the devastating consequences of the Carr fire.
For CNN coverage of additional individuals and families, not related to the Harrington's, who have suffered from the devastating effects of the Carr fire, click on the link below:
https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/31/us/carr-fire-california/index.html
Sincerely,
Diane and Bruce Main
Karen and Russ Church
Karl and Rene Griffiths
Steve and Daralane Griffiths
Early Thursday July 26, 2018 residents of the Land Park Subdivision in east Redding, California became increasingly concerned as they watched the Carr fire far in the distance to the south. My sister Susan Harrington, a retired Mercy Medical Center nurse and her husband Daniel Harrington, a retired route sales manager, were on a short summer camping trip on the southern Oregon coast when their son David called them and suggested that they return to Redding to prepare for a potential evacuation. The fire was becoming a threat to them and many other residents in Redding. At that time David could see that Dan and Susan's home was not in immediate danger, but was making efforts to be prepared for an evacuation just in case, and thankfully moved out important documents and most of their cherished photos.
Daniel and Susan's son Dan, his wife Charee and their two children live in the same subdivision, only two blocks away. Both Dan and Charee work at Mercy Medical Center in Redding. On Thursday David and Charee's parents were helping Dan and Charee remove their most valued items out as well, and yet the Harrington family did not think that the fire would ever actually reach their neighborhood.
After receiving David's call, Dan and Susan hitched up their camp trailer and drove for home, only to find that the main road east to Redding had been closed due to the fire. They were forced to take a long, arduous, traffic ridden detour home. By the time they arrived, much later in the day, they could see from their living room window, down the valley, and over the river, that the fire was steadily approaching, more threatening now, and yet still in the distance. It appeared to them that they had some time to gather up a few more of their belongings.
A narrow escape
Only minutes from when they arrived home however, the fierce winds blew the fire rapidly toward a large red estate on the other side of the river. Dan, Susan and their family were struck with amazement as they witnessed the estate blow up into flames, right before their eyes, and frighteningly watch the wind driven fire jump the Sacrament River and begin to sweep up the hill toward their home!! "We have to go right now!" Daniel insisted, and so the family ran for their cars!
They fled their homes in dreadful fear of being burned. As they were driving away, their backs toward the firestorm, they turned and saw a tornado of inferno soar toward Daniel and Susan's home. The family felt the terrifying sensations of knowing they had escaped with only minutes to spare!! Since that traumatic, even surreal event, they have said to one another, over and over again, "We could have lost our lives, but we are all safe, and that is what truly matters."
(Daniel and Susan's home after the fire)A glaring reality
Later that evening Dan and Charee watched on their I phone as their home alarm system gave messages, such as, "Get out, Get out, Fire!" Not long after the messages it was confirmed that their home was entirely burned. Daniel and Susan were informed, not until the following day, that their home had also burned to the ground.
Daniel and Susan's son David and his wife Erin experienced loss in the fire as well. They were in the process of building a home in west Redding. Thankfully the foundation was the only portion of their home that was close to completion. During the construction of their home, David and Erin were storing several personal items in Daniel and Susan's home, which were all burned. During the final scary moments in Susan's home, Erin, in her haste to help Daniel and Susan get their valuables out, forgot to grab her purse and cell phone. They were burned also.
Daniel and Susan's daughter Mary and her husband Jeff have been a comforting support to Mary’s family during this difficult time. Thankfully Mary and her young family live in Sacramento where her parents, siblings and family can go for unity, love and reassurance as they figure out where to go from here. (Mary and her young family are standing in her parent's back yard, in the photo below. the scene behind Mary's family is the very scene that was on fire the evening of July 26th. The estate they saw catch fire is to Mary's left in the background)
Both Susan and Daniel's families have also offered help, lodging and encouragement throughout the traumatic events. It is Susan's siblings who are teaming together to ask for support for their sister and her family.
Although insurance companies will recover losses of their homes to a point, the total loss will not be covered. The Harrington's will need to pay deductibles, purchase clothing, furniture, food, medical needs, tools, and other immediate necessities. They will have to absorb the high costs of rental lodging during the months they work to rebuild their homes.
Please help the Harrington family rebuild their lives and their homes from the devastating consequences of the Carr fire.
For CNN coverage of additional individuals and families, not related to the Harrington's, who have suffered from the devastating effects of the Carr fire, click on the link below:
https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/31/us/carr-fire-california/index.html
Sincerely,
Diane and Bruce Main
Karen and Russ Church
Karl and Rene Griffiths
Steve and Daralane Griffiths
Organizer
Karen Griffiths Church
Organizer
Vancouver, WA