A Tacoma family’s home caught fire on Christmas as they were celebrating the holiday across the country.
The two-story house on Wilkeson South Street caught fire Wednesday afternoon.
Pierce County fire investigators said a pan was on the stove when the kitchen caught fire.
The official cause of the fire is still under investigation.
“Pretty devastated. Unbelievable that my house was on fire on Christmas Day,” said Mary Healey, homeowner.
Healey said she and her family were celebrating the holiday in Georgia when they discovered the disaster; however, her son was home when the fire broke out, but thankfully, he wasn’t injured.
“He was very very distraught that the house was on fire. He’s pretty upset. He’s pretty devastated emotionally,” she said. “The kitchen is destroyed. Part of the living room is destroyed.”
When the house was engulfed in flames, several neighbors told KIRO 7 News that they rushed over and tried to slow the spread of the fire by hosing it down as they called for help.
Alexa Meza said her two uncles, brother, and father rushed over immediately, thinking their close neighbors were trapped inside.
“I was kind of worried because I didn’t know they were in Georgia. So, I was worried and scared she was in there,” she said. “Everybody was worried. They tried the best that they could to water it down.”
Healey said her family will have to start over as she searches for a new home while the investigation continues.
Her family is left with the clothes they had brought to Georgia, she added.
“We will absolutely have to start over,” she said. “That’s the one thing that’s keeping my head above water right now is my faith in God. And that this will somehow work out for good.”
Loved ones created a GoFundMe to help the family during this difficult time.
A spokesperson for GoFundMe said the fundraiser has been verified.
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