Fire Restoration Update 9/2/2025 - week # 7 and day 3 after Lightning Strike and Burned our Family Home

How You Can Help Us With Fire Restoration Our goal is to raise at least $25,000 to complete the 2nd phase of the demolition and restoration process.

I want to share an update about our journey since the fire. My family and I have already spent over $6,000 in demolition costs to remove walls, ceilings, and debris, and we are still working to cover nearly $1,000 still owed for services. With the help of my family and friends, we’ve been able to remove much of the damages ourselves, but there is still so much more to do.

The next steps are a bigger and costly phase; and it requires permits and professional blueprints or site plans:

This is so very costly and devastating. It is humbling me down to my knees all while the insurance company has not yet to respond due to excessive policy limit. In the meantime, we cannot wait to make our home safe again.

Ways You Can Help Us:

Financial Support – Any donation helps us cover site plans and additional fees, permits, and additional demolition costs.

Volunteer Labor – If you have experience in demolition, electrical, roofing, or construction, your help would be a blessing.

Materials & Equipment – Supplies such as roofing material, electrical wire, or windows, window screens and other building material will make a big difference.

Professional Services – Guidance with permits, blueprint drafting, or hauling would help us move forward.

Sharing – Please share this post with your family and friends to help us spread awareness and support to our rebuilding process.

Faith in the Midst of the Fire

Even in the middle of this challenge, I trust God’s promises. "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." — Galatians 6:2

I believe that through prayer, compassion, and community, God will provide the strength and resources needed to rebuild.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone who has prayed, encouraged me, and helped me and my family during this very difficult time.

Your kindness reflects the love of Christ in action.

With Great Sympathy and Gratitude,

— Maria Triminio

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On Saturday, July 12, my home in Frostproof, Florida was struck by lightning, sparking a devastating fire. In just 8 minutes and 16 seconds, my entire house was engulfed in flames. I lost everything to the fire. While I am grateful to God above all for sparing my life and guiding my spirit out of the house in time, I am left with no home, no clothes, no shoes, and no personal belongings. Among the most painful losses were the graduation pictures, degrees, caps and gowns, and personal items belonging to my children. All our family memories — photographs, stuffed animals, and sentimental keepsakes — were destroyed.

I thank God my children were not home during the fire. This experience has been deeply traumatic and devastating, and I can’t imagine the pain if they had all been there.

The Red Cross provided temporary assistance with a hotel, a case manager, mental health counseling support, a blanket, and a few essentials. By God's grace, I was able to secure a hotel room until mid week, but I am still searching for a safe and stable place to go.

My beautiful family members, as well as the Church of God Frostproof and Rotary on the Ridge family have generously helped me begin to replace some basic personal items. However, my home is currently uninhabitable and unsafe. The roof has completely collapsed, and the floor is covered in insulation, broken roof studs, and beams. The walls and floors are filled with burnt insulation, ash, and shingle debris. The insurance is already being complicated by changing my policy number and not being able to find my account. A claims was recently opened but it will take days, if not weeks, before they begin to assess the damages. These conditions will require extensive cleanup, restoration, and structural repair — far beyond what I can afford alone.

I am seeking donations to help with the following essentials for the moment: A full-size bed, Pillows and blankets, Towels and hygiene products, Essential personal items, Home restoration and cleanup support to get the process started. The clean up will include restoring the windows broken by the fire pressure and the sliding door to keep the animals out of the house.

First and above all, I humbly ask for your prayers. God's Grace and timing is more important to me. However, if you are able to donate, share this message, or even offer a simple meal or fruits, please know that your kindness means more than words can express. Your support can help me meet urgent needs and slowly begin the journey of rebuilding what was lost.

With heartfelt gratitude,

— Maria Triminio