April 13--For decades, Redwood City firefighters have supported a foundation that aids local victims of tragic circumstances. This week, they're pulling together to help the families of a colleague.
In the early morning hours of April 1, a fire tore through a two-story home in Pacifica, killing a 90-year-old man and a 13-year-old boy and leaving 11 other people homeless. The victims were the grandfather and cousin of Redwood City firefighter Abel Virgen.
Fire Capt. Justin Velasquez said Virgen was on duty at the Redwood City station when he saw his aunt's Pacifica address displayed on the department's computer dispatch screen just before 6 a.m.
"That's not how you want to learn about something like that," Velasquez said.
The firefighter left work and rushed to the coastal town, only to receive the devastating news.
The remaining, displaced family members currently are being sheltered by the American Red Cross but have a multitude of needs to rebuild their lives, Velasquez said.
That's where the Create-a-Smile Foundation comes in. Established by Redwood City firefighters in the 1980s to raise and distribute money to local victims of crime, fire and other disasters, the nonprofit is seeking donations to support Virgen's family so they can buy food, clothes and other items lost in the flames.
"Abe and his family got hit pretty hard with this," Velasquez said. "They're going to need everything -- basically, everything's
gone."
Financial contributions can be sent to Redwood City Fire Station 9 at 755 Marshall St., Redwood City, CA 94063. The envelopes should be marked to the attention of the Create-a-Smile-Foundation and checks made to the "Virgen Family Fire Fund." The station cannot accept non-monetary donations such as clothing, Velasquez said.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, North County Fire Authority spokesman Matt Lucett said Thursday.
Email Bonnie Eslinger at [email protected].
On the Web
Additional information about the Create-a-Smile Foundation can be found at http://tinyurl.com/createasmile
Copyright 2012 - Palo Alto Daily News, Calif.
