Teen Girl Turns To School After Fire Claims Her Family
PALM SPRINGS -The Riverside County Coroner’s Department completed autopsies Monday on the five people killed in a fire in Palm Springs early New Year’s Day. His official findings weren’t immediately released.
First graders Sergio and Selena Hernandez and Fifth Grader Pamela Sanchez went to Vista Del Monte Elementary School in Palm Springs. Two grief counselors came before class started to help other children who knew the young victims.
“In all, they’re handling it pretty well. We’ve had a few close friends and cousins that are at our school who have been particularly affected. In general, they’re just kind of in shock and disbelief,” says Principal Joseph Scudder.
Thirteen-year-old Ciria Silva lost her brother, two sisters and her mother Rosa in the fire. The school principal at Raymond Cree Middle is counseling Ciria through this painful time.
“The poor thing, some of her biggest concerns was that some of her textbooks got lost in the fire. I said, don’t worry about your textbooks, We’ll take care of that. The main thing I told her is anything we can do, no matter how big or small to let me know and we’d be there for her,” says principal Tony Signoret.
Both schools are collecting donations for Ciria, “Families who want to make a donation to the Silva family can do so through our school,” says Vista Del Monte Principal Scudder.
Principal Signoret at Raymond Cree adds, “This family, especially our student is a very good natured kid. If there’s anybody that want to donate to, she fits that bill. That’s why were coordinating our car washed that we’re doing in the next few days from 3 to 6 in our parking lot.”
Casillas Family Funeral Home in Coachella watched this tragedy unfold on News Channel 3 and decided to pay a majority of the funeral expenses.
Funeral Consultant Ernesto Rosales says, “I put myself at the other side of the desk. I put myself where the families are sitting when they come here after losing a child, lost a spouse, a mother, a father, a loved one, and how would I want to be treated at that time. I want to be treated with respect and dignity.”
If you’d like to help 13 year old Ciria Silva, call Raymond Cree Middle School at 760-416-8283.
