Fire destroys Hillsboro home

A fire destroyed a home on Washington St. in Hillsboro on Saturday. The family living there is in need of donations.

A Hillsboro family is in need of donations after experiencing a house fire on Saturday, Oct. 5.

The house, located in the 700 block of Washington St., and all of the family’s belongings were completely destroyed.

“Hillsboro, Marion and Durham Fire Departments got dispatched to a structure fire at 703 S. Washington at about ten minutes after 6 p.m. Saturday evening. Hearing the call, Hillsboro Police responded as well and arrived first,” said Hillsboro Fire Chief Ben Steketee.

A police officer informed fire crews that everyone was out of the house.

“I was the first firefighter to arrive on the scene and saw the southeast corner of the house fully involved with flames pushing out approximately 12’. Engine 1952 arrived next with Captain Matt Hein, who quickly directed his crew to perform the initial attack to the exterior using tank water, knowing that Engine 1951 was en route and would provide water supply from the hydrant. And that’s what happened. The initial attack was successful, and the exterior fire was knocked down quickly. Then Assistant Fire Chief Todd Helmer led crews from Hillsboro and Marion inside to perform interior firefighting operations, search for fire spread and pets that were reported to be inside. Of the five that were reported, three were found alive,” said Steketee.

Assisting on the scene also were Marion County Sheriff Deputies, Marion County EMS, Marion County Emergency Management and Marion County Communications (dispatch) who were all instrumental to the successful outcome according to Steketee.

The family of Zac and Sarah Gutierrez, 17-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son, have found temporary housing at Country Haven Inn.

They will receive some funds from the American Red Cross to help with housing, but they will need additional funding help to pay for the hotel and find a new place to live in Hillsboro.

Word about the family spread quickly, and donations have already started pouring in.

“We love Hillsboro and want to stay here,” said Sarah. “We are so grateful for the community support and want to thank everybody that has already reached out to us.”

They are especially in need of clothing, Christian CDs and a CD player for their daughter, bath or other small toys for their son and an air mattress while they figure out housing. They will need household items including furniture once they find housing. They also need notebooks and school supplies for their daughter who they homeschool.

For clothing they need men’s shoes size 10.5, 38/40 pants and 2X shirts; women’s plus size leggings, 2X t-shirts, size 10.5 shoes; women’s large leggings and pants, size 11 shoes; and little boys 4T clothing, size 12 shoes and 5T pulls ups.

Item, gift card and money donations for the family can be dropped off at Hillsboro Hardware or Hillsboro Ampride.

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