phoenix Family Rebuilds After Christmas Eve House Fire
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A Phoenix family is facing the new year with both heartbreak adn gratitude after a fire severely damaged their home on December 24th. The blaze,which occurred near 20th Street and Osborn Road,rendered the residence uninhabitable,though it was not a complete loss. Thankfully, all members of the family – three people and their three dogs – escaped unharmed.
Community support Rises for Dedicated Volunteer
The homeowner, Stephanie Santiago, expressed profound emotion, noting the irony of needing assistance after dedicating her life too serving others. “It’s always me showing up for people who need it and I love it fills my cup but I never thought that I would need it. The people who have show up for me my work team I can’t even explain it,” Santiago said, visibly moved by the outpouring of support.
Santiago is a dedicated volunteer with the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona, where she focuses on identifying and assisting vulnerable individuals with testing and healthcare access. She also mentors at-risk youth through a local community institution,drawing on her own experiences as a young person. “Specifically at-risk kids as I was once an at-risk kid,” she explained.
Christmas Eve Emergency
The incident occurred on Christmas Eve morning while the family was preparing food to take to relatives. “We were cooking some dishes to take with us to my family, and we heard the fire alarms thankfully that happened right away. Then we immediately saw smoke,” Santiago recounted.
Acting quickly, Santiago searched for the source of the smoke, discovering a closet engulfed in flames. In a moment of decisive action, she prioritized the safety of her family and pets.”I ran out with the kids and the dogs I just punched the hole with the hose and tried to put out as much as I could,” she said.
Remarkably, Santiago’s quick thinking – specifically closing bedroom doors – is credited with preventing the fire from consuming the entire house. “The fire chief said did you shut those doors to the bedroom? And I’m like I don’t even remember, he said well you saved the entire house by closing those two doors,” Santiago recalled.
Looking Ahead with Optimism
Despite the devastation, Santiago remains optimistic about the future. “I’ve seen a lot of good come out of this unfortunate situation in a really good way,” she stated. The family, who moved into the home less than a year ago with their two children and three dogs, faces at least two months of displacement while investigators determine the cause of the fire.
The Phoenix Fire Department is currently investigating the origin of the blaze. Individuals wishing to support the family’s recovery can contribute to a GoFundMe campaign established to assist with expenses.
Why did the fire happen? The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Phoenix Fire Department. The fire originated in a closet while the family was preparing food for a Christmas Eve gathering.
Who was involved? Stephanie Santiago, her two children, and their three dogs were the family members affected. The Phoenix Fire Department responded to the scene, and the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona and local community organizations are providing support.
What happened? A fire broke out in the Santiago family’s home on Christmas Eve, causing meaningful damage and rendering the residence uninhabitable. The family escaped unharmed, thanks to working smoke detectors and Santiago’s quick actions.
How did it end? The fire was contained by the Phoenix Fire Department. The family is currently displaced and awaiting the results of the investigation while relying on community support through a GoFundMe campaign. Santiago’s decisive actions, especially closing bedroom doors, minimized the extent of the damage.
