House Fire leaves Artist with Nothing
Donation protected
On Tuesday, January 15th our house caught fire as a result of old wiring in the walls. My sister, Lindy, was the only one home at the time, other than our 5 pets.
Here is her experience:
“On the 15th of January 2019, I returned home from my VA appointment. My boyfriend said he would be over shortly to pick me up. I went into my room to wait and I realized it was too cold in there, so I shut the door and walked back into the living room and sat down on the couch to wait for him to arrive. My cat Minette curled up on my chest as usual.
I started posting my second art picture for the day on my art Instagram. I wanted to be more active with my art and post three things daily. I edited a photo and started to write the description, when I realized I didnt know the size of the canvas. I googled canvas sizes and then thought maybe I had a reference of the size in the house, I glanced up and noticed smoke by the ceiling in the hall.
I quickly ran down the hall, thinking maybe my brother-in-law left a candle lit in his office, but there was nothing, I immediately thought, 'my room!' And I tapped the door handle to see if it was very hot. It wasn't so I opened the door assuming something little must of caught fire, but confused because I didn't light a candle, or incent, or have a heater on.. I opened the door and black cloud of smoke came billowing into my face, I coughed and took a step back. The room was pitch black. Once some of the smoke escaped I was able to see into my room. It looked completely normal, there was a little smoke lingering on the ceiling, but no fire in sight. I stood there for a second and heard crackling. I looked at the closet and could see a warm glow coming from behind the shut doors. Narriating out loud, I exclaimed, 'the closet!' And went to the left sliding door and pulled it back. I was shocked at what I saw. I was hit by another wall of smoke that smelt so toxic that I coughed as my lungs gasped for air. There were bright flames about hip high coming from the back wall of my closet. The crackling became louder and I could fell the warmth emitting from the flames. Remembering that I keep my cash stored in a small bag, hanging on a hook in the middle of the closet I looked briefly and watched as the flames engulfed it. I knew it wasn't worth trying to grab. I knew I needed to get the fire out.
I ran out of my room and grabbed the house phone off the charger as I ran into the garage and grabbed jugs of water. I called 911, but the line was dead. I tossed the phone as I swung open the front door to let the smoke out, the living room was filling with black smoke. I ran into my room and tossed two jugs of water on it. It didnt seem to help at all, I reached into the closet and swipped clothes away from the flame to stop the fuel.
Realizing I had a cell phone, I reached for my phone in my pocket, I realized it wasn't there, I panicked and ran into my sister and brother-in-law's bedroom to see if the back phone had a dial tone; nothing. I saw their dog and said, 'come on, Dobby!' and swung open the screen door for him as I ran back out into the garage for more jugs of water. To my relief I saw my cell phone laying on the ground next the jugs and quickly called 911. While waiting for the call to connect I ran back towards my room, there was a loud pop as I ran into my room with two more bottles. I poured one bottle and watched as my clothes were on fire, literally melting off the hangers in front of me. The flames were my height and covering the whole closet. I knew I wouldn't be able to contain it. The dispatch answered as I ran out of my room and shut the door behind me to cut the oxygen supply. I grabbed Dobby, whom was shaking by the front door and tossed him outside. I shouted my situation and address as I ran back into the back room looking for the cats. The service was breaking up and I had to run back out to get my address across. She transferred my call to the fire department and I ran back inside.
The smoke was so thick I could barely see as i looked under the bed for the cats. I caught a glimpse of Tonks in the far front portion, but she was out of reach, so I shoved some boxes to push her out. The smoke was so thick I could barely see anything and it made it extremely difficult to find the obvious scared cats. I was coughing and had to run back out the house to catch my breath. I was hacking up phlegm all over myself and had snot streaming down my face as I caught my breath enough and told the fire department my address and they informed me they were on the way, they asked if everyone was out of the house, I said, yes but my cats are not. They told me not go back inside the house and the fire department was on the way. I hung up the phone and tossed it on the bench so I didn't drop it and lose it in the smoke; i was not going to lose the cats. The smoke was so thick by then I couldn't even see in front of me, I covered my nose and mouth with my sweater, grabbed a flashlight from the coffee table and ran back into the back bedroom, keeping as low as I could. There was so much thick black smoke that I couldn't take a full breath, I dove under the bed calling the cats names and searched with the flashlight. I caught a glimpse of Minette as she tried to hide deeper under the bed, I reached out and could only grab the end of her tail. I grabbed and pulled her towards me, then grabbed a hold of her back and yanked her out. I then held her in my arms and sprinted out the house. I ran to my car and tossed her in, then ran and grabbed Dobby out of the front yard, whom was just sitting still and shaking by the bench and tossed him in my car too. I swung opened all the gates on my way back towards the house when I grabbed my phone.
I was hacking up soot as I tried to catch my breath and called my brother-in-law. I yelled, 'the house is on fire, I can't find Tonks!' and he said he was on his way. Knowing the fire department was going to need access, I let O'reilly and Bizkit (my other dogs) out of the little yard into the back yard. I tried to call my mom, but it went to voicemail. I ran back into the house to search the office, thinking tonks might of ran in there when I shoved the boxes; nothing. I caught my breath outside and then ran back in to search the closet in the back room, I heard a deep meow while I was in the back room but had no idea where it was coming from. I couldn't find her anywhere, even with the flashlight I could barely see two feet in front of my light. I yelled 'Tonks, here kitty,' the smoked burned my lungs and I knew I couldn't stay in looking any longer, I ran out the garage and unlocked it on the way.
I was throwing up in the driveway when my brother-in-law arrived. I told him I couldn't find tonks, and that the fire was in my room. He ran into the house calling her name, but couldn't find her. He ran around back to open the back door as I went in one last time and opened the sliding glass door from the inside to let the smoke out so if she was low she could breathe. I ran around front of the house as the firefighters arrived. I couldn't take a deep breath, my lungs burned, and I kept coughing and then I noticed what I was coughing up was black.
The fire chief saw and referred me to medical. I was sent to the ER for smoke inhalation and had high carbon monoxide levels. I felt dizzy, nauseated, my throat hurt, and my lungs felt like they were on fire. I had a pounding headache. All I could worry about was tonks, and what my family was dealing with, but I was so thankful that my boyfriend was there and kept me calm.
I was released a day later after my levels improved. My family informed me that tonks made it, and the only room burnt was mine. I moved back to California to manage my dad's estate after he passed away. I had condensed everything down to one room, and unfortunately I never got around to getting renters insurance. So, I lost almost everything I own.... one room full of memories of places I have traveled, my military service, my art I made, the supplies I use to create and sell art... gone. The fire investigator said it was an electrical fire, that started in the closet where there were old wires, since this was an old house. “
We still have to take care of our dad's estate, but now the house has been marked inhabitable. The fire released toxic fumes from asbestos, lead paint, and the smoke lingers in the air. There is a giant hole in the roof from where the fire department took chainsaws to it to get to the flames. The windows in her room are busted out from the fire department and the heat. The rest of the house has smoke damage that is near impossible to get out.
As for her room, it is a sad pile of melted memories, and whatever the fire didn't get has water damage.
“I don't like to ask for help, but I think I need it. I know I can't replace half the stuff I lost, like Afghan rugs from Afghanistan, awards from my time in service, an original painting from my favorite artist, and all my favorite paintings I have made... but I am asking for help. I would like to buy a small trailer to live in on the property while I continue to take care of my fathers estate. I would also like to buy cleaning supplies to help my family clean up what is left of the house, some clothes, and to replace my art supplies so I can continue to create. Thank you for all your kind words, prayers, and support. I love you all ❤”
Instagram: @lyndian_art
Our goal is currently at twenty-five thousand. We have no insurance to cover the damages. We are not looking to rebuild, but rather to secure a means of temporary living on the property. We hope to clean the toxicity from the air and off salavagable items and, as we have all developed massive headaches from our initial exposure to the aftermath, we feel we may likely need to hire professionals to manage the job.
Furthermore, we wish to help Lindy rebuild her world. From essentials to $2400 paintings, she lost so much. We hope to help lessen the impact of this calamity and allow her to get back on her feet—hit the ground painting, if you will. She is an artist through and through, and she wants nothing more than to regain the means to make her living.
Thank you for reading, I know it’s long. Know, we appreciate all of you and the kindness you’ve shown.
Anything helps & again, thank you ❤️
Here is her experience:
“On the 15th of January 2019, I returned home from my VA appointment. My boyfriend said he would be over shortly to pick me up. I went into my room to wait and I realized it was too cold in there, so I shut the door and walked back into the living room and sat down on the couch to wait for him to arrive. My cat Minette curled up on my chest as usual.
I started posting my second art picture for the day on my art Instagram. I wanted to be more active with my art and post three things daily. I edited a photo and started to write the description, when I realized I didnt know the size of the canvas. I googled canvas sizes and then thought maybe I had a reference of the size in the house, I glanced up and noticed smoke by the ceiling in the hall.
I quickly ran down the hall, thinking maybe my brother-in-law left a candle lit in his office, but there was nothing, I immediately thought, 'my room!' And I tapped the door handle to see if it was very hot. It wasn't so I opened the door assuming something little must of caught fire, but confused because I didn't light a candle, or incent, or have a heater on.. I opened the door and black cloud of smoke came billowing into my face, I coughed and took a step back. The room was pitch black. Once some of the smoke escaped I was able to see into my room. It looked completely normal, there was a little smoke lingering on the ceiling, but no fire in sight. I stood there for a second and heard crackling. I looked at the closet and could see a warm glow coming from behind the shut doors. Narriating out loud, I exclaimed, 'the closet!' And went to the left sliding door and pulled it back. I was shocked at what I saw. I was hit by another wall of smoke that smelt so toxic that I coughed as my lungs gasped for air. There were bright flames about hip high coming from the back wall of my closet. The crackling became louder and I could fell the warmth emitting from the flames. Remembering that I keep my cash stored in a small bag, hanging on a hook in the middle of the closet I looked briefly and watched as the flames engulfed it. I knew it wasn't worth trying to grab. I knew I needed to get the fire out.
I ran out of my room and grabbed the house phone off the charger as I ran into the garage and grabbed jugs of water. I called 911, but the line was dead. I tossed the phone as I swung open the front door to let the smoke out, the living room was filling with black smoke. I ran into my room and tossed two jugs of water on it. It didnt seem to help at all, I reached into the closet and swipped clothes away from the flame to stop the fuel.
Realizing I had a cell phone, I reached for my phone in my pocket, I realized it wasn't there, I panicked and ran into my sister and brother-in-law's bedroom to see if the back phone had a dial tone; nothing. I saw their dog and said, 'come on, Dobby!' and swung open the screen door for him as I ran back out into the garage for more jugs of water. To my relief I saw my cell phone laying on the ground next the jugs and quickly called 911. While waiting for the call to connect I ran back towards my room, there was a loud pop as I ran into my room with two more bottles. I poured one bottle and watched as my clothes were on fire, literally melting off the hangers in front of me. The flames were my height and covering the whole closet. I knew I wouldn't be able to contain it. The dispatch answered as I ran out of my room and shut the door behind me to cut the oxygen supply. I grabbed Dobby, whom was shaking by the front door and tossed him outside. I shouted my situation and address as I ran back into the back room looking for the cats. The service was breaking up and I had to run back out to get my address across. She transferred my call to the fire department and I ran back inside.
The smoke was so thick I could barely see as i looked under the bed for the cats. I caught a glimpse of Tonks in the far front portion, but she was out of reach, so I shoved some boxes to push her out. The smoke was so thick I could barely see anything and it made it extremely difficult to find the obvious scared cats. I was coughing and had to run back out the house to catch my breath. I was hacking up phlegm all over myself and had snot streaming down my face as I caught my breath enough and told the fire department my address and they informed me they were on the way, they asked if everyone was out of the house, I said, yes but my cats are not. They told me not go back inside the house and the fire department was on the way. I hung up the phone and tossed it on the bench so I didn't drop it and lose it in the smoke; i was not going to lose the cats. The smoke was so thick by then I couldn't even see in front of me, I covered my nose and mouth with my sweater, grabbed a flashlight from the coffee table and ran back into the back bedroom, keeping as low as I could. There was so much thick black smoke that I couldn't take a full breath, I dove under the bed calling the cats names and searched with the flashlight. I caught a glimpse of Minette as she tried to hide deeper under the bed, I reached out and could only grab the end of her tail. I grabbed and pulled her towards me, then grabbed a hold of her back and yanked her out. I then held her in my arms and sprinted out the house. I ran to my car and tossed her in, then ran and grabbed Dobby out of the front yard, whom was just sitting still and shaking by the bench and tossed him in my car too. I swung opened all the gates on my way back towards the house when I grabbed my phone.
I was hacking up soot as I tried to catch my breath and called my brother-in-law. I yelled, 'the house is on fire, I can't find Tonks!' and he said he was on his way. Knowing the fire department was going to need access, I let O'reilly and Bizkit (my other dogs) out of the little yard into the back yard. I tried to call my mom, but it went to voicemail. I ran back into the house to search the office, thinking tonks might of ran in there when I shoved the boxes; nothing. I caught my breath outside and then ran back in to search the closet in the back room, I heard a deep meow while I was in the back room but had no idea where it was coming from. I couldn't find her anywhere, even with the flashlight I could barely see two feet in front of my light. I yelled 'Tonks, here kitty,' the smoked burned my lungs and I knew I couldn't stay in looking any longer, I ran out the garage and unlocked it on the way.
I was throwing up in the driveway when my brother-in-law arrived. I told him I couldn't find tonks, and that the fire was in my room. He ran into the house calling her name, but couldn't find her. He ran around back to open the back door as I went in one last time and opened the sliding glass door from the inside to let the smoke out so if she was low she could breathe. I ran around front of the house as the firefighters arrived. I couldn't take a deep breath, my lungs burned, and I kept coughing and then I noticed what I was coughing up was black.
The fire chief saw and referred me to medical. I was sent to the ER for smoke inhalation and had high carbon monoxide levels. I felt dizzy, nauseated, my throat hurt, and my lungs felt like they were on fire. I had a pounding headache. All I could worry about was tonks, and what my family was dealing with, but I was so thankful that my boyfriend was there and kept me calm.
I was released a day later after my levels improved. My family informed me that tonks made it, and the only room burnt was mine. I moved back to California to manage my dad's estate after he passed away. I had condensed everything down to one room, and unfortunately I never got around to getting renters insurance. So, I lost almost everything I own.... one room full of memories of places I have traveled, my military service, my art I made, the supplies I use to create and sell art... gone. The fire investigator said it was an electrical fire, that started in the closet where there were old wires, since this was an old house. “
We still have to take care of our dad's estate, but now the house has been marked inhabitable. The fire released toxic fumes from asbestos, lead paint, and the smoke lingers in the air. There is a giant hole in the roof from where the fire department took chainsaws to it to get to the flames. The windows in her room are busted out from the fire department and the heat. The rest of the house has smoke damage that is near impossible to get out.
As for her room, it is a sad pile of melted memories, and whatever the fire didn't get has water damage.
“I don't like to ask for help, but I think I need it. I know I can't replace half the stuff I lost, like Afghan rugs from Afghanistan, awards from my time in service, an original painting from my favorite artist, and all my favorite paintings I have made... but I am asking for help. I would like to buy a small trailer to live in on the property while I continue to take care of my fathers estate. I would also like to buy cleaning supplies to help my family clean up what is left of the house, some clothes, and to replace my art supplies so I can continue to create. Thank you for all your kind words, prayers, and support. I love you all ❤”
Instagram: @lyndian_art Our goal is currently at twenty-five thousand. We have no insurance to cover the damages. We are not looking to rebuild, but rather to secure a means of temporary living on the property. We hope to clean the toxicity from the air and off salavagable items and, as we have all developed massive headaches from our initial exposure to the aftermath, we feel we may likely need to hire professionals to manage the job.
Furthermore, we wish to help Lindy rebuild her world. From essentials to $2400 paintings, she lost so much. We hope to help lessen the impact of this calamity and allow her to get back on her feet—hit the ground painting, if you will. She is an artist through and through, and she wants nothing more than to regain the means to make her living.
Thank you for reading, I know it’s long. Know, we appreciate all of you and the kindness you’ve shown.
Anything helps & again, thank you ❤️
Fundraising team: Rising Phoenix (2)
Kristie Lynn Andersen
Organizer
Rialto, CA
Lindy Ann
Beneficiary
Kenneth Andersen
Team member