Urgent: Rebecca's Home Lost to Fire
Donation protected
- I'm starting this on behalf of Rebecca Buckwalter-Poza, who lived in the building in Columbia Heights that tragically caught fire on December 30th. The building has been deemed indefinitely uninhabitable, and she needs funds to secure housing for herself and her two cats and cover any additional expenses while determining next steps.Any donation will be helpful and extremely appreciated.
- Rebecca was able to get to her home yesterday and even enter the building, only to learn it is a crime scene. Four ladder trucks and more than 100 firefighters were involved.
- RPBP reached her condo to find ceilings caved in and extensive damage. Soot and ash cover many surfaces and extensive water damage has affected her entire home, meaning many or most of her belongings. In gloves, protective facial gear, and a hard hat, she tried to save essentials. She, like others, had difficulty breathing. Her home is heavily contaminated.
- Because of the age of the building and corners cut on safety now becoming public, toxins are an especially serious concern. Even things that are not not visibly damaged likely can't be saved. Trying to clean items and clothing is dangerous because it just releases more toxins and would not even necessarily render them safe to use or wear. Firefighters have given initial guidance but more research is needed (or expertise if someone has trodden this path already....).
- MPD will not let them properly protect the building, which now has no roof, or make any repairs before the snowstorm because it is under an active investigation. Repairs, once allowed, are expected to take at least a year.
- RPBP is slowly adding essentials to an Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/38HYBBN1EBWD4?ref_=wl_share) and a Moonsift list (because no to Bezos), to get her through the next few weeks.
Co-organizers (2)
Karyn Drown
Organizer
Washington D.C., DC
Rebecca Buckwalter-Poza
Beneficiary
Rebecca Buckwalter-Poza
Co-organizer