Pat & Clyde Birnbaum Fire Recovery


At 10:30 pm on Friday, April 27th, 2018 Patricia and Clyde Birnbaum were victims of a catastrophic house fire in South Austin, Texas. This elderly couple, loved by many, lost everything: their home, their car… absolutely everything they own was destroyed.
 

KXAN story 


Austin Fire Department Facebook post 


Patch story 


Austin American Statesman story 


Luckily, a neighbor heard them calling for help as they were trapped in their backyard and he jumped a padlocked 6 ft gate to reach them. He kicked out fence boards to carry Pat out to awaiting neighbors and went back to help Clyde out. Pat was barefoot and Clyde was still in his slippers and pajamas, but the most important thing is that they are safe. Thank God for the Angel (still yet to be identified) who rescued them within seconds of the property being engulfed in flames. The Austin Fire Department’s immediate response time and containment of the fire protected the neighboring properties. Words cannot express the enormity of the family’s gratitude.


Over the past year Pat endured her second battle with breast cancer. Days before the fire she received her Breast Cancer SURVIVOR certificate from Texas Oncology confirming that she’s cancer free. Then the night of April 27th hit...


Despite the recent hardships, Pat and Clyde are focusing on the positives and taking things one day at a time. The aftermath of a total loss fire is devastating to deal with but material things are replaceable and lives are not. No matter how hard things get, the family having to plan funerals would have been so much worse. The reality of having to start completely over is mentally, physically, and financially overwhelming. They’ve always been there to help a friend or family member in need- let’s return the favor for this very deserving couple during this tragedy.


Pat and Clyde need help ASAP to start rebuilding their lives one step at a time.


Please donate what you can, any amount will help and is greatly appreciated. 


Please help us spread the word by sharing this GoFundMe campaign with your contacts.


Some of you know Clyde BIRNBAUM as The KING OF ROCK! That guy wearing a crown that never misses performing to the song Wipeout at senior center dances where he met Pat 10 years ago and still attends regularly.


Some of you know Pat BIRNBAUM as Pat BRIGNALL or as Pat TOMICEK. That fun-loving lady from Honoka’a, Hawaii (ALCORAN family) that always has flowers in her hair! Fondly know as TUTU to her eight grandchildren.


Daughters and families: 

Debbie Brignall Lewis (Glenn, Aaron, Alec)
Dawn Brignall McKinney (Gary, Morgan, Mason, Mallory)

Diane Brignall Maybury (Richard, Wren, Bane, Greer)
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I am an old friend of the family through Debbie Lewis, Pat’s daughter. Debbie has been providing 100% support to Pat & Clyde; following the checklist outlined in the yellow book “After the Fire is Out,” running errands, getting medications, setting them up in hotels, providing emotional support, etc. Debbie has set up the withdrawals from this gofundme to be deposited directly into Pat’s bank account, which will be used to pay for replacing day-to-day requirements and other fire-related expenses like demolition of the remnants of their home. The homeowners insurance only covers a fraction of the costs to rebuild their lives. They still need to decide if they can afford to rebuild the home on the same property, or if they need to sell the land and purchase a different home. All funds raised for this campaign are going directly to Pat & Clyde. Thank you.