A Maricopa family whose home caught fire last month in the Senita neighborhood says the damage has left the house unlivable for months, prompting them to launch a GoFundMe campaign for help with basic needs and temporary housing.
The Feb. 23 fire on the 43600 block of Elizabeth Avenue drew a large emergency response and held the No. 1 spot on InMaricopa.com’s Most Popular list for several days.
At the time, the Maricopa Fire and Medical Department told InMaricopa crews were dispatched just after 11 a.m. for reports of a fire in a home’s laundry room. Firefighters arrived to find an active fire, but the occupants had already exited the house. Crews quickly extinguished the flames and worked to clear lingering smoke. No injuries were reported.
In a public fundraising post, Cameron Dillon-Haynie, 27, said the family believes the fire likely started from a faulty circuit in a washing machine.
“The fire quickly spread, causing major damage to the laundry room, hallway and both closets,” Dillon-Haynie wrote.
He said the damage and lingering ash and debris have made the home unlivable for the next six to eight months, possibly longer, while repairs take place.
“This house was my older brother’s, and it’s been especially hard on him,” Dillon-Haynie wrote. “My younger brother, nephew and I all lived there too, and we’re doing our best to support each other.”
According to the post, insurance is expected to cover repairs to the structure, but not personal belongings lost in the fire. The family said they are seeking $12,000 to cover temporary housing and daily necessities such as food, water, toiletries and clothing.
“Even a couple hundred dollars would make a huge difference for us right now,” Dillon-Haynie wrote.
Photos shared by the family show extensive interior damage. Large holes are burned through sections of the hallway ceiling, black soot coats walls and door frames, and the laundry room appears stripped to exposed studs and wiring. Personal belongings are piled amid ash and debris, while parts of the roof structure and insulation remain visible above charred drywall.
Dillon-Haynie wrote that the family hopes community support or exposure to their situation could help them recover from the unexpected loss.
“This accident has put all of us at a rough corner,” he wrote.
The fundraising campaign was created March 2 and had raised $189 on Monday.
One Response
If your insurance carrier allowed a restoration company to open a claim I suggest you contact a licensed,bonded and insured General Contractor and take over the claim yourself.Your homeowners insurance should cover personal property/living arrangements.Contact your agent to explain the coverages and limits.I’m a retired GC and have been through this.You,not the restoration company should control who repairs your home.It is AZ law!They are not GC’s by profession,but are licensed as such.Mostly vultures who will bleed your insurance dry.Good luck to you.