Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
CHUBBUCK, Idaho – A mother and daughter lost nearly all of their material possessions and at least one of their pets in a fire in the early morning hours of Christmas.
The fire that burned the home of mother Andra Andrew, 52, and daughter Ashley Davis, 35, started sometime before 12:21 a.m. when the emergency call came into the Chubbuck Fire Department. The fire consumed the entire interior of the home at 210 Circle Inn, taking the vast majority of their material possessions, as well as the life of their dog and potentially their cat as well.
"It's just … so surreal, losing everything," Andrew said. "We left for my son's with just the clothes on our backs. It was just going to be a quick night and (then) back home in the morning."
The pair had gone over to the home of Michael Andrew, Andra Andrew's son, on Christmas Eve to wake up and celebrate the holiday with his family. While wrapping presents, Andra got a call from a member of her church, calling to check on her because they had seen a fire.
"I think there's a fire in your circle right there," Andra Andrew said the person told her. "I just wanted to make sure you and Ashley are OK."
Andra Andrew decided that she would leave her son's house nearby and go check on her home. When she pulled up to her street, she found it blocked off.
"I looked over, and I could see that the fire trucks were right on my trailer, and it was just smoking," Andra Andrew said.
Chubbuck Fire Chief Merlin Miller said that when firefighters arrived, they ran water lines into the trailer and worked to suppress the flames from the front door and the backdoor. Miller said that the fire started in the kitchen area, and although the flames had gotten weaker throughout the home, it was all extensively damaged by smoke and heat.
Investigators are looking into the cause of the fire.
Miller said the trailer was a total loss.
"It was a bit much for me to take, so I gave (the firefighters) my phone number, and I just had to … I had to leave," Andra said.
But before she left, she asked about her dog, Molly, and her cat, Charlie, and the firefighters told her they hadn't seen them. The next morning, she was notified that the firefighters had found Molly where she died, lying on Andra's bed.
"I haven't found my cat yet, so I don't know if he actually was able to get away or if he's lost in there still. I don't know," Andra Andrew said.
Michael Andrew, his wife, Erica, and their children, were comforting and supportive while she and Davis spent Christmas day with them, Andra said, adding that her whole family has pitched in to support them in this trying time.
"Everybody just kind of divided up and conquered and brought in help," Andra Andrew said.
Andra Andrew's cousin Megan Matthews has taken the lead on facilitating donations for Andrew and Davis. Andra Andrew had bought the trailer around eight years ago and fixed it up, but due its age, she was not able to get insurance on it.
Matthews went with Andrew and Davis recently to try and see what they could find in the home that was still intact, only managing to find a couple of personal keepsakes.
"It's heartbreaking to watch, 'cause none of this is salvageable, but they were just looking for something," Matthews said.
Matthews said that the mother and daughter are in need of both financial and item donations. Rather than run a GoFundMe, Matthews decided to facilitate monetary donations through a Venmo account*, with the handle @andrewfamilydonations. People who would like to make an item donation can contact Megan Matthews on her Facebook page.
As Andrew and Davis have worked to process the tragedy that took place on Christmas morning, they've worked to remain positive about what they can and appreciate the support they've received from their family and the community.
"Anything can happen at any time, and you just never know. So cherish what you have when you have it, and love everybody when you can. Life is short, and you just never know what you're going to have tomorrow," Andra Andrew said.
*KSL.com does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisers and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
