Raleigh family devastated by house fire gets much needed help
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- A Raleigh mother is hoping to get help after her home burned which forced her family of eight into a motel. However, it may not be enough.
The Valdivia family is racing against time and trying to figure out what to do next.
The only clothes Shawanda Valdivia's kids own now are their PJs. The Red Cross is giving them a three-night's stay at a Raleigh motel, but after that they're on their own again.
"I'm trying not to cry. This is very hard for me right now," said Valdivia.
Valdivia can neither express thoughts nor feelings.
The Wake Inn is a temporary home for her, her husband, and their five kids between the ages of 2 and 21 after a fire Wednesday night destroyed everything inside their rental in the 3500-block of Piedmont Drive in east Raleigh.
"My 13-year-old, she really don't know what's going on. She asked me, 'Momma are we homeless?' I said 'Honey we don't have a home.' She breaks out in tears."
The mishap stemmed from Valdivia's 17-year-old daughter who thought she turned off the stove.
"She didn't turn the knob over to off all the way," said Valdivia. "It wasn't completely to off. I think about my kids. I look at my kids, and I just have to keep thanking God my babies are still here."
All five escaped unharmed while Valdivia and her husband were working.
The fire caused an estimated $50,000 worth of damage. It's an overwhelming amount of money for a family without renter's insurance or loved ones able to help. They spent all of today searching for a new home and new sources of help without success.
"My kids don't have coats. We don't have clothes. We lost everything," she said.
She has until Saturday morning, which is when the Red Cross' help ends and the hardship could get more grueling.
"I don't know what's going to happen after this," said Valdivia. "I don't know if we're going to be homeless on the street, sleeping in my truck? I don't know."
Finding a home soon is also extremely critical because Valdivia's 2-year-old son has Cerebral palsy.
