‘I can’t believe this is happening’: Single mom, 5 younger kids lose their Cathedral City home to fire

A house fire ignited Monday night in Cathedral City displacing a single mother and her younger five kids. Her two older kids already moved out. "I'm still in a lot of shock," Elizabeth Barron told News Channel 3's Marian Bouchot.

Firefighters were called to the home fully engulfed in flames at the 67300 block of Mission Ct. at 7:23 Monday night.

The family told News Channel 3 that they believe the fire was started by an electrical accident.

Everyone made it out safely, but the home and all of their belongings are damaged.

Barron and her kids lived in the home for 13 years. She became a single mother after her husband died of cancer 10 years ago. She's now raising her five younger kids on her own. Her oldest two kids already moved out. 

Regarding the kids that still lived in the home with Barron, the youngest child is 5 years old and the oldest is 15 years old.

"It kills me because everything that I worked for… is gone," said Barron. "Everything taken in seconds-- just seconds."

Most of the day was spent salvaging anything they could find. 

"In this house, I got to see my kids first walk, my kids this first fall, learn how to ride a bike. This is where my husband took his last breaths," said Barron.

Barron works three jobs to support her family and often lives paycheck to paycheck. The family had plans to move out soon and head to Disney for a family vacation this year. Yosemy Mchenry is Barron's oldest daughter.

"[My mom is] taking it hard because she feels like she failed as a mom and she didn't," said Mchenry. "She's champion. I know she's gonna get through this because that's what she is. She's a fighter."

 The younger kids are currently staying with Mchenry in Cabazon.

Since the incident, a GoFundMe for the family was started to help with expenses and get them back on their feet. It reads in part:

Elizabeth is a hardworking, single mother, supporting her five youngest children. They now need clothes, basic necessities, and somewhere to stay. We hope this fund will help cover at least their basic necessities and help them get back on their feet again.

Barron Family Fire Emergency

Any donations for the family can be dropped off at Agua Caliente Elementary School or at 31575 Avenida el Pueblo, Cathedral City.

Click here to donate to the family's GoFundMe