Capac family escapes flames; total loss

“I looked down the hall and saw orange everywhere”

 

CAPAC — A Capac woman and two of her children are thankful to be alive this week, after a fire raced through their home on Walker St., destroying everything they had worked for and owned.

The early morning fire Sunday destroyed a house and it’s contents, leaving Jessica Cetnarowski., her 16-year old daughter Emma and 10-year old son Able living with family until they can figure out what’s next.

Mussey Twp fire department responded to the blaze around 6 a.m. and had automatic mutual aid from Berlin Twp. fire department.

The two departments remained on scene for hours, fighting the flames and bone-chilling cold.

The two departments, along with the St. Clair County Sheriff Department and Michigan State Police were dispatched at 6:07 a.m. according to the St. Clair County daily log report.

“We were all sleeping,” Jessica said. “My daughter (Emma) came into my room and said, mom something is wrong. I can’t breathe.”

Jessica, who said the house has been having electrical issues, smelled smoke and bolted from her bed and looked down a hallway.

“I looked down the hall and saw orange everywhere,” Jessica recalled during a Monday morning phone call with the Tri-City Times.

“Our front door is blocked, so we had to try to get out the back door,” Jessica said. “We couldn’t see anything. We couldn’t breathe. I got my son up and we found our way out of the house. We couldn’t find our dog, Lokie (a pitbull).”

Jessica said the fire started in the garage and she was told by a firefighter it was an electrical fire. Smoke and flames quickly spread through the ranch-style home. Emma’s bedroom was on an adjoining wall with the garage.

“We’re just so thankful she was able to wake up and realize what was happening,”Jessica recalled. “I still get very emotional and upset when I think of what could have happened to my children. To all of us.”

The family dog, Lokie, did manage to find his way out of the house in time to be saved.

In a facebook post where she has started a gofundme account for her sister, Laura Wojie wrote: “I’m reaching out today for my sister, who’s going through a very tough time. Early this morning a devastating electrical fire completely destroyed their home. In a matter of minutes everything they owned was gone. This is a single mom who was already struggling to make ends meet. She didn’t have extra savings, insurance to fall back on or resources to quickly recover from something like this. They are left with nothing but the clothes they escaped in and the hope that kind people will step in to help. No one should have to face something like this alone. Right now they need help with the ability to begin rebuilding their life. Even the smallest donation can make a real difference, whether it helps provide a warm meal or essential supplies. If you’re unable to donate, please consider sharing this fundraiser. Spreading the word can be just as helpful. Thank you for taking the time to listen and to help in any way you can.”

Jessica says while accommodations are not ideal, they are thankful for her parents and a place to lay down.

“I don’t know anything about what we are going to do. We didn’t have any insurance, there is no savings account and I am living paycheck to paycheck. This is all still so shocking.”

She concluded, “No, we are not ok. None of us. Certainly not me, or the kids. Even our dog is walking around trying to figure things out. I just can’t believe it. That it’s all gone.”

Despite the devastation, Jessica says family members and the community have been quick to reach out and offer assistance.