We are so grateful that Alej, Elena, Alej's partner, and their pets Smokey, Oshi, and Cosmo are alive. At 4:00 AM on January 6th, Elena, Alej, and Meski were woken up by loud banging and screaming to call 911. Carlos, an unhoused community member who happened to be walking by, saw the house was on fire and immediately moved to wake the inhabitants in the 4 units (none of the fire alarms went off). If Carlos hadn't walked by at that precise moment, if he had been just a few minutes later, it would have been too late for them to escape with their lives.

 

https://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2022/01/06/midtown-sacramento-victorian-house-fire-passerby-notices-flames/

 

Thankfully, no one was physically injured. The apartments, however, are another story. We are asking our community's help to raise funds to cover Alej and Elena's expenses after the fire.

 

Some of the expenses include:

 -Food-hot meals, etc. in the interim

 -Replacing perished pantry items/groceries, clothing & furniture  (couches, tables, etc.)

- Re-housing fees

-Pet care & replacing pet supplies

-Moving supplies and storage unit for things they've managed to salvage

-Professional cleaning to remove smoke toxins from anything that can be salvaged

-Funds for Carlos who saved their lives and is unhoused   

-Funds for their neighbors, a queer couple, whose jobs have been impacted by COVID-19

-Legal fees

-Lost wages from missed work

 

 

The building was severely damaged, and Alej and Elena will never be able to return to this home. The Red Cross and hazmat specialists have advised them to replace all of their belongings due to the toxic fumes from the smoke, fire retardant used, and building materials like asbestos and lead released from the old Victorian home. 

 

Those of you that have met Alej and Elena know that they are among the most dedicated and loving community members, organizers, and leaders, especially for queer and trans people of color in Sacramento. Overnight Alej and Elena have become displaced and are now searching for new housing.

 

Elena and Alej truly loved their home and created countless memories together as best friends there. This has been incredibly painful for both of them and they are experiencing deep grief. We are asking for the community that Elena and Alej love and put so much time and effort to uplift to please come through for them in this moment of need. Thank you!!