Mattawa proves that Christmas is truly a time for giving

MATTAWA - Wahluke Resident Jeanie Gallacci called the fire, that destroyed a family home in Mattawa just days before Christmas, truly tragic because of its timing.

"But it was good timing, too," she said, "because it was a time for giving, and the people of Mattawa gave."

According to Grant County Fire District No. 8's Dave Patterson, the fire at 103 Second St. on Dec. 21 started at around 2:30 p.m. In mere minutes, the Rafael Rodriguez family lost everything.

"We arrived at 2:42 to find a single family structure on fire and fully involved," Patterson said. "The home owner at first tried to fight the fire with a garden hose but soon gave up and concentrated his efforts to save the house next door."

There was a structure to the east at 105 Second St. that was being threatened. Fire hoses were put into place to protect that structure, and it received no damage.

Three structure engines and 18 firefighters participated in fighting the fire. It was under control by 2:59, but firefighters stayed on scene until 5:25 doing mop up and making sure the fire would not rekindle.

According to Patterson, the fire is believed to have started in an electrical panel in the rear bedroom and spread quickly down the hall to the kitchen and front room area.

The home was a total loss, but the family was able to retrieve its family bible and a photo album. The first good news, other than that, was that the family found a place to stay immediately, taking up residence in the home of a niece who was visiting in Mexico.

The next day, unaware of the fire, a couple of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) making their rounds passed by the burned out home and noticed the destruction. They were sure someone was homeless at Christmas time.

"It was such a tragedy," Gallacci said. "We had to do something."

More than 50 people responded to a call that went out for help. Money poured in, the family was able to go to Wal-Mart and purchase clothing, personal needs, household needs and groceries. The Red Cross showed up with prepaid debit cards for the family to make further purchases.

"It's been a pretty good community affair," Gallacci said.

LDS church members helped the Rodriguez family get a line on some manufactured homes in the mid $20,000 range, which is about what they can afford. But they ran into a snag with city rules.

At a Jan. 2 meeting of the city council, the family learned that when a mobile home burns and more than half of value is lost, it must be replaced with a new mobile home. They will attend the Jan. 16 meeting to learn if there is any way to get around that rule.

"I think the council was quite supportive," Gallaci said. "They were working to try to find a way to get the family into a home."

Meanwhile, the property is ready for a new or used mobile home. Members of the LDS church used their own equipment to tear down the old house, remove it and clear the lot.