Help the Heuns rebuild after Christmas House Fire

The Heun's house burnt down on December 16, 2023. This fundraiser was originally created to provide the kids with some Christmas cheer amidst the chaos, and to help with immediate necessities and long term aid while the Heuns process and prepare for this next chapter. Here’s the Amazon Wish List for necessities. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts!!

A word from Shanna Heun:

Saturday, December 16, 2023, our home suffered a devastating fire. We planned a much-needed home night. Because on December 7th I lost my father and my children’s grandfather way too soon. I have not even begun to process my grief.

My stamina for the holiday season was low. All I wanted to do was wrap up an overpacked Saturday and get home to my family. Dagny and Fitz were eager to watch the Eras Tour. Dagny was, “dying to see Wildest Dream,” her latest favorite song. Fitz couldn’t wait for his “bedtime song,” Enchanted. Lucas was happy on his own downstairs because “Taylor Swift isn’t my thing.”

Amid our dance party, music blaring, [child] costume change galore; unbeknownst to us, a fire raged in our attic. Our private Eras Tour concert was never finished.

Two teenage boys driving through our cul de sac in a white F150 saw the fire and started banging on our door. Confused, we paused our concert. I heard a sound I will never misplace again. One, that now haunts my dreams. In that moment, I was in denial. Tyler asked, “Who left water running?” At the same time, I queried, “Is that hail? Did the Nor’easter arrive early?” Then, the deepening crackle paired with the screaming and urgent bangs on our door, “You house is on fire! Get out!”

In a flood of sickening panic, our door opened, immediate fear and dread and scrambled bellows of, “Who is in here? Any animals?”

As a psychologist, I never wanted to test the ferocity of my fight or flight response. Where do I truly fall on this theory? I always suspected my fight and survival instincts were formidable. Anyone who knows me well, may emphatically agree. This event cemented my fight response for myself and those I love.

Tyler and I got the children and dogs, Lola and Chewbacca, out immediately. Dagny had on her favorite Elsa nightgown. The boys were in their normal attire for the evening - boxer briefs. Retrospectively comical, Fitz was midst costume change, pairing his undergarments with a blue sequined tutu. Afterall, he is a 4-year-old Swiftie.

Once outside, I made firm, direct eye contact with both young men who saved our lives. Remembering my training in trauma and psychology that this is crucial step in any emergency. Asking, or more likely demanding, they keep the children and dogs safe and away from the house.

Tyler and I ran back into our house, flames were shooting into the black night sky. No one had shoes. Tyler found some at one point as well as our car keys. I grabbed some laptops & one iPad; the other was lost. His truck had already suffered damage, melting the headlight cover and bumper paint, under the intense heat of the blaze. Our home was filling with smoke, making it difficult to breathe.

While Tyler moved our vehicles. I grabbed one carryon piece of luggage and started to toss in irreplaceable jewelry, photographs of my deceased father and grandparents, and medications that I knew we needed that night and next day. Multitasking, I called one of my closest friends who happens to live in the same neighborhood. She immediately picked up because we don’t talk on the phone, we text and send inappropriate memes like proper GenX & Millennials. I told her in less than 20 seconds that house was on fire, asked if she was home and can she get the kids. She was there in less than 5 minutes to get the kids, taking them to her home with family, to safety.

Next, I instructed Tyler, 2 minutes later to grab all our important documents. He also grabbed a hamper of clean clothes. I was still haphazardly tossing items into the luggage when one of the fire departments arrived. Sternly and appropriately, I was told, “Ma’am! Drop the luggage and get outside!” (Or something of this nature). Unwilling to give up my cherished and necessary (to me) belongings, I made eye contact, stated, “I got it.” And I did, running as fast as I could out the door, leaving the fireman and everyone else far behind me.

At this point there was a crowd. A small crowd was gathering. Neighbors and friends were immediately there, supporting us. We had friends running through the woods and at our house with coats, hats and gloves within 15 minutes, once they heard the call come in. There is a firefighter in our neighborhood who had let them know. The outpouring of love and support we have felt has been ongoing and necessary for our children.

One of our saviors got through to 911. I was unsuccessful, twice. I was immediately placed on hold without a single pickup from a 911 operator. I have not gone through my phone records, but it felt at least for 10 minutes. Perhaps longer, perhaps less. I gave up to care for my sobbing and horrified children as we stood there watching our home ablaze.

While I knew the next part could and would happen, it was alarming as the night progressed. The small gathering became large. Other people we did not know, but offering love and support was generous. However, news crews, gawkers and apparently people looking to loot was unsettling. A local news outlet published false information never once verifying facts. I saw strangers calling each other, postulating about the cause and discussing the content and the amount of valuables in our home.

Three ladders responded to our house fire. The fire trucks lined our street and the response of the firemen was incredible. New fears, nightmares, behavioral issues and intolerance of smells and experiences surface daily. We expect this. They are working through their trauma with an amazing professional team. The support from their schools has brought me to tears on more than one occasion.

Our main floor was likely going to be a complete loss anyways due to fire and water damage. The roof was almost completely gone and could not be tarped, due to fire department protocols. The Nor’easter the next day left an additional 5-6 inches of standing water. The excess water drained to our lower level, causing immense flooding and damage. Almost the entire roof is gone, leaving the home exposed to the elements.

The house will be taken down to studs. We have excellent insurance and Tyler has always been vigilant to make sure this has been the case. Despite this, we are now beginning to understand how the "depreciation of goods" and how this will impact our ability to replace everything lost. There is a large amount of leg work to do so. The process is arduous where only the most organized, persistent and steadfast will be successful.

The second question asked after ascertaining if everyone is safe, is “How did the fire start?” The short answer is human error. The long answer is harder. I have developed allergies to smoke and cannot tolerate campfires anymore. Tyler had purchased a solo stove so I could enjoy campfires, s’mores and family fun again. He had a fire going in the smokeless pit late morning. When I left at 3:30, the fire was out. There was no smoke I saw and he was able to move the pit around without any issue. He had moved the pit to the side of our home by 6:30 or so. By 8:00 that night, our house was in flames. I do not blame him; I saw him take all proper measures to ensure the fire was out. Tyler believes a small ember at the bottom of the fire pit was stirred up with the wind. The ember may have landed on some leaves, sparking the fire, but he cannot be sure. We are now sensitive to asking such questions of anyone in a way we have never been before.

In the next couple days, we will begin thanking each and every one of your properly. Our focus has been on our children. We have been, trying to provide a sense of security in a completely insecure moment. We have been astonished by the generosity of our family, friends and community. You rallied to support us when we needed you most and this has forevermore restored our faith in humanity.

- The Heun’s ❤️