Friends, strangers pitch in to help after house fire

Joelle Casteix was just looking to rally support for a friend who had lost nearly all of her possessions in a devastating house fire when she updated her status on Facebook.

After learning that her former nanny’s family was displaced after the fire, Casteix took to social media to ask friends for clothing donations for the family.

The fire broke out at 7 a.m. May 29 in the family’s one-story house on Traverse Drive, just southwest of where the 405 and 55 freeways meet. Firefighters rescued a man from the blaze, according to authorities.

“They left the house in their pajamas,” Casteix said. “They didn’t take anything with them.”

The blaze was extinguished in about 15 minutes and caused about $90,000 in damage, according to fire authorities.

The response Casteix received was overwhelming. Donations from neighbors, friends and even complete strangers began pouring in for the family.

In less than a week, people have donated clothing, towels, toothbrushes, food and other necessities one might not think about needing to replace after a fire.

“It’s a tragedy and it’s very sad, but what’s come out of it has renewed our faith in mankind,” Casteix said. “They have just been blown away by everything that’s been given to them.”

To donate, email Casteix at jcasteix@gmail.com.

— Hannah Fry

Twitter: @HannahFryTCN