@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:
Six years ago, our DD and DSIL lost everything when their apartment building caught fire during the night. DH and I were out of town and it took us 5 hrs. to get to them. The fire began a few buildings down from them and traveled through the rafters. Police made it to the scene before the fire department. They were going from building to building, trying to get people out. They were eventually told to stand down, before entering our DD and DSIL's building, but two brave officers, one male and one female, didn't listen. They entered our kids' building, the last building involved, and busted through their apartment door. The officers physically pulled the kids from their sleep and ushered them out with only the clothes on their backs. Wallets, keys, phones, pictures, important papers, eyeglasses, etc. were all left behind. They had two cats that got scared and hid, and they were ultimately lost. The male officer carried their kenneled dog down to the parking lot from the third floor. Fortunately, the children were at their mom's that weekend. We are forever indebted the officers as we came so imminently close to losing our kids. We saw video of the fire and through their windows where furniture was engulfed in flames. It was awful.
DH and I drove them around the next day to get certain things replaced (phones, eyeglasses,) and get some basics for them (undies, toiletries, some clothing, a little pocket cash). The Red Cross set up a small distribution center where people could get donated used clothing and misc. items, plus everyone received a $100 Visa gift card. Our kids were able to get into a different complex in a different town within a week or so and start over. A good friend started a GFM for them. Friends and family generously helped them a few thousand dollars to purchase necessities and some people donated physical items (dinette set, desk, dishes, etc.) We bought them a bed and I found secondhand bedroom furniture to paint for them.
Overall, they fared better than a lot of people but it's still a day none of us will ever forget.
We had a similar situation with our son and his family. They left their home without shoes,phones,wallets etc. Fortunately all four plus the dog escaped the fire. In these situations it takes a village to help the victims financially and mentally. My granddaughters have been severely impacted, having lost all their possessions and having seen what a raging fire can do. They moved in with us to keep the girls in their same schools. A GFM account was opened for them and people were very generous.Fund raisers were held at the girls schools and so many wonderful people donated clothes,blankets,sheets etc. It was really wonderful to see how the community rallied around them. But when an entire community burns down, the village has to be widened in order for recovery to happen. That will take lots of time unfortunately.
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