Son, grandmother die in fire mother in burn center
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On Tuesday, September 8th, the lives of Chris and Angie were changed forever. A devastating wildfire surrounded the couple's home in the early hours of the morning, and despite the heroic efforts of Chris and Angie, Angie's mother, Peggy, and the couple's 13-year-old son, Wyatt, were killed by the fire. At first, Wyatt was missing and there was hope, but 2 days later he was found in the driver's seat of the family's car with his grandmother Peggy, his dog in his lap and had not survived the Santiam fire. Angie is in critical condition in the burn unit.
What we know happened...there were high winds and the power went out and Chris had left to get a generator. Angie awoke to flames surrounding their home. Grandmother Peggy had broken her leg a week earlier and was awaiting surgery. Angie had loaded her mother in the car and by the time she got Wyatt and the animals, the car was surrounded by flames. Knowing it was life and death and there was no way to drive the car out, Angie told her 13 year old son Wyatt and his dog Duke to run. Angie stayed as long as possible to try to get her mother out of the car. but was not successful. She had no choice but to leave her mother, hoping Wyatt would be 10 minutes ahead of her. It was pitch black outside except for flames and smoke and their driveway was very long as was the road back to the main highway. However, Wyatt did not keep going toward safety, and instead went back to the car and tried to drive his grandmother out of the flames. The road was so hot, it burnt the tires up. He was a heroic boy, trying against all odds to save his grandmother. All this happened while his father Chris was desperately trying to get back to his family. Blockades had been set up and in desperation he ran the blockades. He found a woman on the road, wearing what looked like a bikini, feet burnt to the bone, unrecognizable. (We later learned the road was so hot she had wrapped her feet with her clothes which had burnt away.) Chris put this woman he did not recognize in the car and said he was sorry but he had to keep going to save his son and wife. Her mouth was black and was not able to speak, but finally whispered "I am your wife." After desperate searching, the car was found 2 days later with Wyatt in the driver's seat with his dog in his lap and his grandmother in the car.
Angie survived the fire but suffered full-body burns and is currently in critical condition at the burn center in Portland. Her road to recovery will be a long one and will be further complicated by the devastating loss of her mother and child.
The couple's home and possessions are gone. The medical costs from Angie's physical injuries will be enormous, plus the funeral expenses for Peggy and Wyatt. Chris and Angie's life will never be the same. While no amount of money can bring back Peggy and Wyatt, our family would be incredibly grateful for any help you can provide. This fund will help Chris and Angie deal with the extreme financial devastation this event has caused.
Read more details about the tragic family loss from the devastating Oregon fires in this Statesman Journal story. What happened as told by Capi Lynn of the Statesman Journal
Peggy was a devoted grandmother who always had a smile on her face and always had kind words to give. Wyatt was a kindhearted, strong and brave young boy who was fascinated by trains and loved to go fishing.
This fundraiser is organized by the Tofte family, Susan Vaslev and Mary Tofte, who are Chris Tofte's aunts and Tyler Vaslev who is Chris Tofte's cousin. Chris and Angie have approved this site as has their family. Funds raised will go directly to Angie and Chris for medical expenses, funeral expenses, expenses during recovery, and replacing everything they have lost. A legal trust account has been created and Chris and Angie are sole beneficiaries of the trust.
Peggy with great grandson Ezra
The last time cousin Coby saw Wyatt.
Wyatt's beloved dog Duke, shown here with his Christmas antlers, was with Wyatt until the end and died in his lap.
Happier days with Angie, Peggy and Wyatt
Christmas video from 2013 showing the sweet heart of young Wyatt. We will miss him.
What we know happened...there were high winds and the power went out and Chris had left to get a generator. Angie awoke to flames surrounding their home. Grandmother Peggy had broken her leg a week earlier and was awaiting surgery. Angie had loaded her mother in the car and by the time she got Wyatt and the animals, the car was surrounded by flames. Knowing it was life and death and there was no way to drive the car out, Angie told her 13 year old son Wyatt and his dog Duke to run. Angie stayed as long as possible to try to get her mother out of the car. but was not successful. She had no choice but to leave her mother, hoping Wyatt would be 10 minutes ahead of her. It was pitch black outside except for flames and smoke and their driveway was very long as was the road back to the main highway. However, Wyatt did not keep going toward safety, and instead went back to the car and tried to drive his grandmother out of the flames. The road was so hot, it burnt the tires up. He was a heroic boy, trying against all odds to save his grandmother. All this happened while his father Chris was desperately trying to get back to his family. Blockades had been set up and in desperation he ran the blockades. He found a woman on the road, wearing what looked like a bikini, feet burnt to the bone, unrecognizable. (We later learned the road was so hot she had wrapped her feet with her clothes which had burnt away.) Chris put this woman he did not recognize in the car and said he was sorry but he had to keep going to save his son and wife. Her mouth was black and was not able to speak, but finally whispered "I am your wife." After desperate searching, the car was found 2 days later with Wyatt in the driver's seat with his dog in his lap and his grandmother in the car.
Angie survived the fire but suffered full-body burns and is currently in critical condition at the burn center in Portland. Her road to recovery will be a long one and will be further complicated by the devastating loss of her mother and child.
The couple's home and possessions are gone. The medical costs from Angie's physical injuries will be enormous, plus the funeral expenses for Peggy and Wyatt. Chris and Angie's life will never be the same. While no amount of money can bring back Peggy and Wyatt, our family would be incredibly grateful for any help you can provide. This fund will help Chris and Angie deal with the extreme financial devastation this event has caused.
Read more details about the tragic family loss from the devastating Oregon fires in this Statesman Journal story. What happened as told by Capi Lynn of the Statesman Journal
Peggy was a devoted grandmother who always had a smile on her face and always had kind words to give. Wyatt was a kindhearted, strong and brave young boy who was fascinated by trains and loved to go fishing.
This fundraiser is organized by the Tofte family, Susan Vaslev and Mary Tofte, who are Chris Tofte's aunts and Tyler Vaslev who is Chris Tofte's cousin. Chris and Angie have approved this site as has their family. Funds raised will go directly to Angie and Chris for medical expenses, funeral expenses, expenses during recovery, and replacing everything they have lost. A legal trust account has been created and Chris and Angie are sole beneficiaries of the trust.
Peggy with great grandson Ezra
The last time cousin Coby saw Wyatt.
Wyatt's beloved dog Duke, shown here with his Christmas antlers, was with Wyatt until the end and died in his lap.
Happier days with Angie, Peggy and Wyatt
Christmas video from 2013 showing the sweet heart of young Wyatt. We will miss him.
Fundraising team (3)
Susan Vaslev
Organizer
Turner, OR
Christopher Tofte and Angela Mosso Trust
Beneficiary
Lori Stephens
Team member