Lost everything to fire

Hello, my name is Ana. I lived in my home with my two children age 16 and 21. On February 23, 2024 our life took a turn for the worst.

I was at work when my daughter called me frantically that our house was on fire. I was thirty minutes away and all I could think of was the safety of my kids. When I arrived my children were outside, what they called home. When the fire broke out my kids were both in their rooms and had no idea the car outside was on fire. When the fire alarm went off it was too late the kitchen was engulfed in black smoke and they ran out the back door leaving everything inside. When I arrived I realized that only the side of the house had fire damage. I thought the fire only damaged the outside of my house, and my kids are safe. Then, when I looked through my front door my heart dropped. I noticed there was more damaged inside than outside. My bedroom was flooded with water and debris. Everything was black.

Although as a woman of faith I’m blessed that my family was safe. But seeing my house and furniture flooded and damaged by fire, water, smoke and debris was heart wrenching. My mind started to play flashbacks of me and daughter preparing dinner just the day before, or when we hosted family gatherings and then the holidays. My windows all shattered due to pressure of the fire. I couldn’t keep it together I broke down.

We started our new lives in this home about a year ago and as a single parent I made sure my kids have everything they need and at times want. When they looked at me and asked about getting inside and getting their things I didn’t know how to say, we have to start over. I told them everything will be okay. A week has passed and we’re homeless and things have been getting difficult. For the first time ever me and my children are currently separated due to lack of places to stay. My son is with his father and me and my daughter sleeping at my sister’s house.

Our goal is to find a new apartment to call home, and funding to help support this. Finding an apartment has been really difficult especially a 3 bedroom in such short notice. After this incident we learned that everything in the house was not covered under the insurance. We are left to pick up the pieces. I created this Gofund me in hopes to help us in this next chapter of our lives. Anything and everything will go towards our housing circumstances. We have a long way to go but I’m a woman of faith and again so grateful that my kids were safe and that’s all that mattered.