My friend Cyndie had a house fire on February 5th.

This is Cyndie speaking.

Repairs will be expensive due to asbestos and lead paint remediation. Even though the fire was contained to the first floor there is severe damage due to soot and water throughout the house. It took me over an hour to rescue and clean my coffee maker! Essential for my sanity. I am staying at a cheap Air bnb about 10 minutes from my house.

People want to know how the fire started. I had returned from an afternoon dental appointment and laid down on my couch until the drugs wore off. I had started a fire in my wood burning fireplace insert before I laid down. The door were open but barely....as I enjoy the look and smell of a fire. But I don't leave fires unattended. But I fell asleep and was so out of it. I believe I would have woken up when a log rolled out.….Which they believe is how it happened. I ran out of my house without a coat, shoes or a phone. I tried to get back in the house for my phone but the intense heat drove me back out. I found a neighbor who was home and they called the fire department. Luckily it is located a block from my house!

It was sad to see my house in its state. And I barely have insurance, so it's going to be tough. I so appreciate all your generosity so far. It means the world to me! I will be posting updates of my journey.