My name is Tiffany Hayden, and I’m reaching out for support after experiencing an unfathomable tragedy. While on FMLA to recover from cervical cancer treatments and allow my body a little time to heal, our lives were shattered in an unexpected fire that changed everything and left us with immense loss.
In the late afternoon of July 22, 2025, I went outside to take the dog for a walk. As soon as I stepped outside, I smelled smoke. I looked at my garage and saw white smoke coming from the top left corner. My heart sank. I ran into the garage and discovered an electrical outlet was on fire. In that moment, I found my nephew on the floor, and I believe he suffered a severe electrical shock while plugging something into the wall, leaving him unable to communicate or move. I immediately rushed in, trying to pull him out of the garage, but the smoke was overwhelming, and my arm was burning as I struggled to pull him from the flames. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get him out, and my nephew—along with our two beloved cats—did not survive the fire.
We were lucky that my mother, our family friend Isaac, and my nephew’s dog Max all made it out safely. But the loss we’ve experienced has been unimaginable.
I was taken to the ER that night for smoke inhalation and second- and third-degree burns on my arm and ear, but I was able to be released that night. However, while I'm still undergoing treatment for cervical cancer, the entire family is grappling with the emotional toll of this devastating fire. The loss of my nephew, our two cats, and our home has left us all in a state of shock and grief, and we’re trying to find a way to heal and move forward together.
While we were able to save a few keepsakes, much of what we had is gone. The majority of my Halloween collection—a passion of mine for years—was in the garage and was completely destroyed. In addition to that, we’ve lost just about everything that makes a home. My mother lost everything while I was able to save some clothing and shoes. We are starting over from scratch and need help to rebuild.
Here’s where your support will go:
- Professional cleaning and restoration of salvaged items (clothes and memorabilia)
- Medical Expenses (ER & Burn Unit)
- Replacement of household essentials, including beds, linens, kitchenware, furniture etc.
- Help with securing a new place to live (deposit, moving costs, etc.)
This process will take time, but with your support, we can take the first steps toward rebuilding our lives and finding a sense of stability again.
The emotional and financial impact has been immense. Any contribution, no matter how small, will help us start over and begin to heal. We are beyond grateful for any support, whether through donations or simply sharing our story with others.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for taking the time to read our story. Every bit of support helps more than you can imagine.
You can see a news report about the fire below:
