The community is rallying behind a family who says it is a “miracle” they survived after a “devastating” fire broke out on Christmas Eve, leaving them homeless and all their belongings destroyed in Zion.
The Zion Fire Rescue Department responded around 8:02 p.m. Wednesday to the 3100 block of Ezekiel Avenue in Zion for a report of a structure fire.
Zion Fire Rescue Chief Justin Stried said firefighters arrived and found a two-story, wood-frame home with heavy flames and smoke showing from the front portion of the home.
It was quickly determined that all occupants of the home were accounted for, Stried said.
Fire crews still conducted multiple searches of the residence to ensure no one was still inside.
The incident was upgraded to a Working Still Alarm response, which brought additional fire crews to the scene to assist the operation, as well as to cover Zion fire stations during the incident.
The fire was brought under control in approximately an hour and fire crews spent an additional two hours ensuring the fire was completely extinguished.
Investigators also evaluated the scene in an attempt to determine the origin and cause.
Leandrea Hernandez said her family experienced a “devastating” fire that completely destroyed their home.
“We were preparing dinner together when the fire broke out. Inside the home were me, my husband, my brother (Efrain Lopez), my mother (Katrina Smith), our four children,” Hernandez said.
”By the grace of God, everyone made it out alive. That is the miracle we are holding onto,” she said.
The family escaped with nothing but the clothes they were wearing. “We lost our home, furniture, food, clothing, personal documents, family keepsakes, and every Christmas gift for our children. Some of us didn’t even have time to grab shoes or coats before running for our lives.”
Hernandez said they woke up on Christmas morning displaced, overwhelmed and starting over from “absolute zero.”
The Beach Park, Winthrop Harbor, Newport Township, Pleasant Prairie and Gurnee fire departments assisted at the scene.
The North Chicago, Libertyville and Antioch fire departments covered Zion fire stations.
“A special thank you to our Zion police officers and Zion ESDA volunteers for assisting with traffic control and rehab on the scene,” Stried said.
No injuries were reported to the residents or firefighters. The American Red Cross was called and is assisting the family with temporary housing and other immediate needs.
Investigators determined the fire started on the front porch of the home and the fire was accidental in nature.
Investigators could not rule out discarded smoking materials as the most likely cause of the fire, Stried said. Smoke alarms were present in the home.
“ZFRD reminds the community as a whole to please check that you have working smoke alarms, and to use extreme caution with any open flame, including candles and smoking materials, when using them in your home,” Stried said.
The fire department said they participate in the “Be Alarmed” smoke alarm program and anyone with questions about whether they have proper working smoke alarms in their home can contact the fire station.
A GoFundMe account has already raised more than $6,000 for the family as of Saturday and they are also seeking clothing donations.
“Right now, we are in urgent need of clothing, shoes, coats, undergarments, food, household items, and basic necessities as we work to begin the long process of rebuilding,” Hernandez said.
“Any donation, no matter the size, will help our family take the first steps toward stability and healing. If you’re unable to give financially, please consider sharing our story,” she added.