Karen Grizzle and her daughter, Mindy Robertson, lost everything in the fire. (Photos via GoFundMe)
A GoFundMe account has been established to assist two women who were displaced and lost all their possessions in a house fire in Lake Elsinore on April 24.
Mindy Robertson and her 60-year-old mother, Karen Grizzle, were left homeless after a fire destroyed their rented home in the 17000 block of Baker Street, west of Collier Avenue and the 15 Freeway. The blaze, which was reported at 10:16 a.m., is still under investigation.
Black smoke rose from the site for more than an hour as firefighters battled the blaze, which destroyed the home and three outbuildings, including an auto repair shop run by the owner of the property. Robertson said her mother was home alone at the time and “barely made it out.” A dog died in the fire.
Robertson said she had lived at the residence about three months with her mother, who moved in as a renter in December and struggles with diabetes. A male, whom Robertson referred to only as Mike, an amputee who was hospitalized at the time, was also a resident of the home.
Robertson said she and her mother are being assisted with housing by the American Red Cross until they find a new home. The Red Cross is also providing assistance for Mike, who remains in the hospital.
Making matters worse, Robertson just last week was diagnosed with colon cancer. She is scheduled to begin chemotherapy this week.
“My mom’s OK, but she was definitely shaken by it,” Robertson said. “We’re devastated. We lost everything.”
Also lost in the fire were several cars stored on the site of the auto shop. Robertson said the auto shop owner painted vehicles at the shop, so there was also stored paint that provided fuel for the fire.
Through it all, Robertson is simply glad her mother wasn’t injured and that others are providing assistance.
“We have faith,” she said. “God is good and He will see us through.”
Those wishing to contribute to the GoFundMe site may do so here:
Support Karen Grizzle and Mindy Robertson
