Rust Family Vacaville Wildfire Victim Fund
Donation protected
On Wednesday, August 19, 2020, Ed and Mary Rust left their home of nearly 40 years with just the clothes they wore to sleep. The LNU Complex fire leveled their home and, like many others in the area, the Rust family lost everything in a matter of hours. Ed helped to build their home in the English Hills neighborhood of Vacaville, California and it was the house that their children, Briana (Breezy) and Kevin grew up in.
Ed went to bed Tuesday night and they could see a red glow over the hill from the Napa fire. There was no indication the fire was so close to coming over the hill. Mary stayed awake and, around 1:00am, the power went out. Mary went to get Ed to turn on the generator and as they waited for it to kick on, they saw the flames racing toward their property. There was no warning, no reverse 911 call, no sheriff's deputy pounding on their door to get out, no loud speaker announcement driving up the street warning them to evacuate immediately. They ran out of the house and got out of the area as quickly as they could. Power was out, it was pitch black dark and they couldn't find the animals or get the gate open for their horse to escape. Mary didn't have her cell phone or Ed, his wedding ring. They described flames surrounding the area and explosions nearby. We are all so fortunate and grateful Mary was awake and they even made it out.
Hours later, they received word the house was gone. Fire investigators found their dog, Baron, alive in the pool. It makes everyone crack a smile imagining him making his way to the pool and swimming it out for the next 10+ hours. He is now at a local vet being treated like a king until they get settled. Their horse, Macy, was spotted later in the evening alive and caring neighbors gave her food and water until she could be picked up. A black cat matching Nico's description was picked up on Peaceful Glen nearby and taken to a local shelter. She is with the family but obviously traumatized.
Ed, Mary, Breezy, and Kevin visited the property on Friday for the first time and the devastation was heart breaking. The entire English Hills area was hit so hard and was like a scene out of a war film. The family thinks the house caught fire not too long after Mary spotted the flames. Breezy's husband, Joe, was able to sift through debris in the bathroom area and found Ed's wedding ring.
Ed is working with insurance to get their claim started but there are immediate costs that will quickly pile up before insurance kicks in. So many of you have reached out to the family to offer your support in any way and the family is touched by the outpouring of love and prayers. Any amount will help them get their feet back on the ground and will be one less thing they have to worry about while they process this devastating loss. All the money raised by this fund will go directly to Ed and Mary.
Ed, Breezy, Mary, Kevin
Ed's Truck
Stairs to front door
Garage
Ed with his wedding ring
This fundraiser is being organized by Kevin's wife (Ed and Mary's daughter-in-law), Meghann. Kevin and I live about 40 miles outside of Vacaville.
Ed went to bed Tuesday night and they could see a red glow over the hill from the Napa fire. There was no indication the fire was so close to coming over the hill. Mary stayed awake and, around 1:00am, the power went out. Mary went to get Ed to turn on the generator and as they waited for it to kick on, they saw the flames racing toward their property. There was no warning, no reverse 911 call, no sheriff's deputy pounding on their door to get out, no loud speaker announcement driving up the street warning them to evacuate immediately. They ran out of the house and got out of the area as quickly as they could. Power was out, it was pitch black dark and they couldn't find the animals or get the gate open for their horse to escape. Mary didn't have her cell phone or Ed, his wedding ring. They described flames surrounding the area and explosions nearby. We are all so fortunate and grateful Mary was awake and they even made it out.
Hours later, they received word the house was gone. Fire investigators found their dog, Baron, alive in the pool. It makes everyone crack a smile imagining him making his way to the pool and swimming it out for the next 10+ hours. He is now at a local vet being treated like a king until they get settled. Their horse, Macy, was spotted later in the evening alive and caring neighbors gave her food and water until she could be picked up. A black cat matching Nico's description was picked up on Peaceful Glen nearby and taken to a local shelter. She is with the family but obviously traumatized.
Ed, Mary, Breezy, and Kevin visited the property on Friday for the first time and the devastation was heart breaking. The entire English Hills area was hit so hard and was like a scene out of a war film. The family thinks the house caught fire not too long after Mary spotted the flames. Breezy's husband, Joe, was able to sift through debris in the bathroom area and found Ed's wedding ring.
Ed is working with insurance to get their claim started but there are immediate costs that will quickly pile up before insurance kicks in. So many of you have reached out to the family to offer your support in any way and the family is touched by the outpouring of love and prayers. Any amount will help them get their feet back on the ground and will be one less thing they have to worry about while they process this devastating loss. All the money raised by this fund will go directly to Ed and Mary.
Ed, Breezy, Mary, KevinEd's TruckStairs to front doorGarageEd with his wedding ringThis fundraiser is being organized by Kevin's wife (Ed and Mary's daughter-in-law), Meghann. Kevin and I live about 40 miles outside of Vacaville.
Organizer and beneficiary
Meghann Oakes Rust
Organizer
Vacaville, CA
Ed Rust
Beneficiary
