Willow Glen Resident

News

Second fire leaves family homeless through the holiday season

By Mayra Flores De Marcotte

Another fire has marred a family's holiday season in Willow Glen.

The three-alarm fire ravaged a Willow Glen home on Richland Avenue. This time the blaze caused nearly $500,000 in damage, but the surrounding neighborhood has rallied to lend the family a hand.

The fire started in the basement. The stairwell was so hot the fire department took apart parts of the flooring and roof and broke the home's windows to cool the inside. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

In November, another three-alarm fire tore through a home on Newport Avenue. The blaze caused an estimated $1 million in damages and left two residents homeless.

Willow Glen resident Jennifer Miller was one of the first to hear the firetrucks' screeching sirens the morning of Dec. 5 at 1 a.m. It took firefighters approximately 1 1/2 hours to contain the blaze.

"I was totally shocked," Miller said. "There's no flooring left in the house. It looks like an ashtray."

The blaze at the Richland Avenue home sent Lisa Liotta and her husband, Terry Valine, to the hospital for smoke inhalation. Their 4-year-old son was not hurt. Two firefighters were also injured. One was taken to the hospital with first-degree burns to his right arm and the side of his face. The second firefighter injured his shoulder but was treated at the scene.

Liotta has been released two days later from the hospital and was reunited with her son, who was watched by friends and neighbors, Miller said.

Liotta's husband is still in the hospital). He suffered from smoke inhalation but is recovering.

The family had lived in the house about 2 ¹/2 years, and Miller said the couple had made many improvements.

"They did all the work themselves," she said.

As Miller stood outside watching the drama unfold, she could not take her mind off the family's loss.

When Miller returned to her home, she decided to help the neighbors she knew only in passing.

"I drafted a letter soliciting donations for blankets, clothing and gift cards," she said.

She ran off copies of the letter and distributed them to the neighbors and local businesses. Miller and Liotta-Valines were overwhelmed by the response.

Costco on Almaden donated $100, and neighbors donated $1,500 in cash, gift cards and goods.

Neighbors have brought wrapped Christmas gifts for the family's son, and the family's daycare provider has offered its service free for the rest of the year. Another neighbor is watching the family's three dogs.

Neighbors have also stepped up to offer assistance processing the insurance, and some have even offered their homes to them.

"It's pretty amazing," Miller said. "People that initially gave to the family are still calling to make sure there isn't something more they can do."

"Before the fire, we were just neighbors," Miller said. "Now we are friends."

Before the tragedy Liotta-Valine's 4-year-old son and Miller's 2-year-old son would see each other playing in their yards and often frequented the same park. Since the fire, Miller has invited the Liotta-Valine family over for dinner.

"They're good people," she said.

Although the family's immediate needs have been met, cash donations are still welcomed.

Donations can be made to the Lisa Liotta and Terry Valine Fire Donation Fund at Wells Fargo Bank, Acct. # 3904 331 364. Checks should be written out to either Lisa or Terry.