Holiday kindness touches family after fire

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Jennifer Acosta views the area where a heating unit caught on fire just before Christmas, leaving much of her family’s apartment with smoke and water damage. (Duane Sherrill photo)

A fire which destroyed their belongings just before Christmas couldn’t stop the holiday spirit for one family as Good Samaritans ensured this year’s Christmas would be a memorable one.

“I couldn’t believe this happened this close to Christmas,” said Jennifer Acosta, mother of two children ages 2 and 9. “It pretty well ruined everything in the apartment, including what they were getting for Christmas.”

The fire occurred at Acosta’s apartment at Westside Manor Apartments on Dec. 22. According to Acosta, she and her children were getting ready to leave when her daughter called out.

“Mom, our house is on fire,” Acosta recalled her eldest daughter yelling.

Acosta said she discovered there were flames shooting from the main heating unit in the middle of their residence, spreading into the ceiling. Acosta called 911 and immediately evacuated the West End Avenue apartment.

While McMinnville Fire Department limited the fire damage to the area immediately around the unit, smoke and water damage were extensive within the apartment, ruining most of the possessions in the residence.

“I didn’t know what to do, since Christmas was just two days away when the fire happened,” said Acosta said, who has been offered another apartment at the complex.

However, her questions were answered when community members came together to ensure the family did not go without.

The outpouring of giving came from sources including the Warren County Rescue Squad toy drive, American Red Cross and Bybee Branch Church of Christ.

“My children got such great toys. I really appreciate these folks making it a nice Christmas,” Acosta said. “I really don’t know how to thank them for all they did for us.”