Resident shares story after fire destroys home

Adrianna was working from home when she started to see and smell smoke.

“I thought it was my computer equipment,” Adrianna said. “I was on a phone call and I noticed smoke started to come from the left wall.”

She explained, her boyfriend came into the room and said ‘the neighbors house is on fire.’ Adrianna said she thought it was a small fire, but it was far from that.

“Once we opened the door, big clouds of grey and black smoke were coming out,” Adrianna said. “Literally all we had time for was to grab my son’s pants and shirt, and go outside before the fire spread to the entire apartment complex.”

Adrianna added she was in panic, scared, and crying because she knew her home was going to be ruined and there was a possibility she was going to lose everything she had.

“The roof has fallen down,” Adrianna said. “Everything is damaged. My stairs were damaged. It’s really black upstairs, you can’t really see. My tv’s, all of my children’s Christmas presents, everything was gone—water everywhere.”

She said luckily the Red Cross arrived and was able to support her, her family, and her neighbors during this devastating day.

“I had a nice man named Mr. Jones,” Adrianna said. “He helped me fill out my application. He was very patient and kind. He definitely gave me assistance to get diapers, wipes, clothes, and shelter for a few days. It feels awesome because honestly, I lost everything.”

During a disaster, the Red Cross can provide financial assistance for immediate needs, during a disaster.

“It just goes to show that it helps and that I don’t have to worry about where I’m sleeping tonight,” Adrianna explained. “Know your exits, know your emergency fire points in your house, and make sure your family gets out safe.”

To learn more about how the Red Cross helps during a home fire or to learn more about how you can be prepared incase of a fire of your own occurs, go to redcross.org/homefires