Indio family of five left homeless after house fire, asking for community support
The Heredia family is fundraising on Gofundme. If you'd like to contribute, visit Help the Heredia Family Rebuild After Fire
Irene Heredia and her family of five are now looking for a new place to call home, after a house fire destroyed everything they own.
On February 22, a fire tore through the home's attic, paving a path of destruction. Fire officials believe it began from an appliance that exploded, then spread to the roof where it damaged the kitchen, living room and bedrooms.
Speaking with News Channel 3's Athena Jreij, the family shared their disbelief upon finding out about the fire.
"I was at basketball practice when I heard about the fire, and my brother had called me saying Dominic, the house is on fire. I'm like, 'What are you talking about?' And then he showed me the backyard and the smoke and everything," Dominic Heredia said.
Irene Heredia, the family's matriarch said, "I could see the smoke through the ring, you know, that top of the entrance of the door. So I thought like, my God, it is on fire. So I was really worried for my boys."
The home has been in the family for nearly 3 generations, passed down from Irene's parents to her and her brother.
"I’ve been living here since I was a kid. I've never been anywhere else," Dominic said.
As they piece through what's left of their belongings, they say the path forward is uncertain since they don't have home insurance.
According to Irene, the home was insured for years through the same provider, but recently ended their coverage when the monthly rate kept increasing.
"It's gotten so expensive. It kept going up and every month and we just couldn't afford it with everything, going on in the world right now it's so expensive."
The Heredia's are one of many families that have faced rising insurance rates in California due to increased climate change and wildfire risks.
Some have been priced out and forced to get coverage through the California SAVE Plan, others like Irene have opted for no coverage at all.
She says the price they paid in losing their home is something they never expected.
"This kind of stuff happens. You never think it will happen to you."
As the Heredia's walked through their family home, a glimmer of hope appeared as they discovered a rosary that decorated an altar honoring their passed loved ones, or an ofrenda.
"That's our Jesus cross. We hung it for our uncle who died."
The Heredia family is fundraising on Gofundme. If you'd like to contribute, visit Help the Heredia Family Rebuild After Fire
