Olivia's Apartment Fire Recovery

Hi I'm Olivia and on April 22, 2023 I suffered a devastating apartment fire located within my bedroom. It was an electrical fire that started around 2 pm. I was with my roommate Max, partner Cam, and Hendrix.

We were all at the house in the living room when we noticed smoke coming from my closed bedroom door. The lights had started to flicker and we smelled burning so we swung my bedroom door open to flames already 6 feet tall. The whole back corner of my room was on fire. You never really know how you'll act in this type of situation until it happens. I sprinted towards my bed and grabbed a blanket to try to stifle the flames but I instantly knew it was no use. Our only concerns were getting our pets out and ourselves. As I watched the life I had worked to build up burn berfore me, I screamed for my cat because it was her area of the bed that was already lit up. She started crying back and as the boys got the chinchilla cage out, I searched for Bella. Smoke was building up so fast as she poked her head out of the closet. I grabbed her so fast and ran. As I exited my bedroom, the door slammed shut behind me. We called the fire department and our parents. After going to urgent care, I learned I had sustained 1st-3rd degree burns on my leg, arm, & finger.

In the aftermath, I remain so so grateful that my pets and best friends were unharmed. It would be a much different story if we hadn't caught the fire so fast. I'm so grateful we were home. I'm so grateful we weren't still sleeping. I'm so grateful to be able to stay at my family home while I get back on my feet. But I am traumatized. The burns have scarred and the images are something that my mind won't let fade.

I lost a lot. I lost my bed, my art, my photos, my laptop, my late grandparents gifts, art supplies, furniture, treasures I've collected. I lost a lot of my favorite clothing and for those of you who know me well, you know my vintage wardrobe was my treasure trove. I lost tatttoo supplies which means I can't make money from tattoos until I reinvest plently. My laptop was a very expensive purchase less than a year old that I watched the flames catch. I lost a lot that was one of a kind and priceless to me. But once again when it comes down to it, I am so unbelievably grateful to have my pets here with me. They have definitely come first in replacing their goodies.

The funds will go to restarting my life after such devastation. I have a lot to repurchase as I try to rebuild my life. The most important and expensive being my laptop. Following the fire, my car ran into more issues, I lost my job, and my beloved 14 year old pup passed. It's really been the most difficult two months of my life. These funds would be so appreciated as I try to get back on my feet and find new work while navigating new trauma. Thank you all :)