Palm Desert family speaks out after losing everything in house fire
A fundraiser page has been created to help a Palm Desert family whose home was destroyed in a fire Tuesday afternoon.
Strong winds in the Coachella Valley caused a fire to spread at Palms Mobile Home Park in Palm Desert, leading to evacuations of residents and nearby schools, injuries to firefighters, and damage to several homes.
CAL FIRE reported the cause of the fire was an electrical accident and that two firefighters suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
One mobile home was completely destroyed, 4 additional homes were damaged (1 outside of the mobile home park).
Libby Jimenez grew up in the home that was completely burned. Her family had lived in it for 24 years.
"Everything we had and we own is gone. Absolutely everything is gone," said Jimenez. "I'll never forget all the memories that I had here. Everybody that I was able to come and cherish those memories with me, I'll never forget anything."
Jimenez shared the home with her husband, brother, and parents. Luckily nobody was home when the fire started. Jimenez is nine months pregnant and expecting a baby boy with her husband.
"We just don't know what our next steps are right now. We're just waiting to see what we could get help with," said Jimenez. "Just the night before we fixed up [our son's] nursery room and everything's gone now."
Her husband, Bryan Acosta, only lived in the house a few years but treasured every moment.
"This house means everything to me because I got to see my wife-- we got to do the girlfriend stages," said Acosta. "Going through a house fire is not peaceful. Losing your dogs is not peaceful."
Their two puppies, Stella and Luna, didn't make it out of the fire. The family is now holding each other closer than ever.
"This was our home and we can only go up from here but we just have to take our time and figure it all out," said Jimenez.
The family is staying with other family members in Coachella. In the meantime, they're asking for donations.
Specifically baby supplies, baby boy items, clothes, and toiletries.
For those who are reaching out wishing to donate additional items they are also accepting donations of baby boy items, toiletries, or anything you'd like and can be dropped off at 43101 Portola Avenue in Palm Desert at the clubhouse behind the pool area.
"We want to say thank you to everyone who has donated. Our aunt is filled with so much gratitude and appreciates everyone's support," writes the family. "Thank you once again, for the overwhelming love and support you have given our aunt during this difficult time."
Click here to visit the family's GoFundMe page to donate.
