PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A Phoenix family is entering the new year with a sense of loss and gratitude after a fire ripped through their home on Christmas Eve.
The flames damaged a large part of the home, near 20th Street and Osborn Road, making it unlivable, though it was not a total loss. The family of three and three dogs all made it out safely.
The homeowner says she’s dedicated her life to serving her community, so it’s a different feeling when she’s now the one who needs help.
A pile of rubble sits in the backyard of the home. Stephanie Santiago was in tears seeing her belongings torched and scattered across the yard, but she was also overwhelmed by support.
“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, breaking down in tears.
Santiago volunteers for the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona.
“My job is to find vulnerable people get them tested work on their health care and make them better,” she said.
She also works with a community group mentoring kids.
“Specifically at-risk kids because I was once an at-risk kid,” Santiago said.
It has been less than a year since Santiago moved into the home with her wife, their two kids and three dogs. On Christmas Eve morning, their lives were flipped upside down.
“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 said.
Trying not to panic, Santiago rushed through the home, searching for the source.
“Like in a literal movie the whole closet was in flames,” she said.
In that moment, she had to make quick decisions. One of those choices saved the rest of her home from becoming a total loss.
“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. 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 said.
It’ll soon be a new year, and Santiago has new optimism.
“I’ve seen a lot of good come out of this unfortunate situation in a really good way,” she said.
Phoenix Fire Department investigators are still working to figure out what caused the fire. But Santiago said they cannot return to the home for at least another two months.
If you’d like to help, a GoFundMe has been set up for the family.
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