WEST PLAINS — When fire left an Airway Heights family without a home, local fire agencies and a business stepped in to provide some much needed resources.
Airway Heights Fire Chief Mitch Metzger said they responded to a fire at the home of Erika Saucedo on May 21. The single-mom and her two kids weren’t home at the time, but arrived soon after being notified.
The fire destroyed the kitchen in the family’s single-wide home, with smoke damage ruining the rest of the their belongs. One item that survived — which Erika’s six-year-old son and four-year-old daughter were most concerned about — was their brand new bunk beds, Metzger said, adding the bed frames were fine, but the mattresses were destroyed.
The family were able to find accommodations with family in the area, and Metzger said they wanted to help.
“Once they got settled, we went over to the 16 cents (furniture store 16 Cents, 3 Shoes & 5 Socks) place here and said, ‘hey, what can we do?’” Metzger said.
The furniture business agreed to donate and deliver some mattresses and bedding to help the family. But since the Saucedo’s were staying with a cousin in Cheney, it prevented the Airway Heights department from taking a truck over, so Metzger said they contacted Cheney Fire Chief Tom Jenkins.
“We graciously agreed to accompany the mattress store,” Jenkins said. “A tragic event indeed, but a team effort across the West Plains to take care of those whom we all serve, first responders and businesses alike.”
So, Tuesday, June 2, a box truck from 16 Cents, 3 Shoes & 5 Socks rolled up to Erika Saucedo’s cousins home in Cheney along with the Fire Department’s main attack engine. In a Facebook post, 16 Cents media relations representative Mike Ennis said the children raced outside to greet the firefighters.
“They were very excited to see what the firetrucks were doing,” said Erika Saucedo. “We are very excited the kids got their new beds. We’re so thankful. It’s very amazing.”
Ennis said the company was happy to help out the family, and thanked the Cheney and Airway Heights firefighters for their work protecting the community.
John McCallum can be reached at [email protected].
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