Save Newport Real News in Newport Beach
While it may seem that all was lost for Abby Pearose, the holiday season is the season of giving. Friends set up a GoFundMe site, and have begun raising money to help Pearose rebuild from items as simple as clothing and shoes, as literally all was lost.
If you’re unfamiliar with the story: When Pearose went to sleep the Monday before Christmas, he had no reason to believe that his life would be changing just a few hours later. The upstairs neighbors in the split-unit house had a heavily decorated Christmas Tree which caught fire and brought NBFD to the doorsteps at 4:15am. As the flames consumed the upstairs unit, the upstairs residents were barred from using the door and had to jump to safety, breaking bones and causing other injuries in the process– but making it out alive.
In the commotion of his home being burned and evacuated around him, downstairs resident Pearose awoke to sounds of crying and calls including “Help!” and “There are people still in there!”.
Beginning to realize what was happening, he went to look out of his window– only to find a sea of red flames outside. Pearose vividly described the glass breaking, saying that it it was so loud that it sounded like gun shots as the glass exploded from the rapidly increasing temperatures. Acting on instinct alone, he yelled for his housemate and they fled the burning structure with nothing but the clothes they had on– barefoot. Moments later, Pearose took the following photo:
Fire destroyed everything high up, while water damage took out the remainder of his home– a byproduct of the effort taken to subdue the flames.
Pearose was forced to move in with family in Irvine as a temporary measure, but he did not lose his spirit:
Friends set up a GoFundMe page for Pearose to help him get back on his feet– with shoes on. Pearose already has momentum working in his favor for the site so far, but if it is your tradition to give during the holidays, please consider donating to help this neighbor rebound from a tragedy sparked by nothing more malicious than a love of Christmas decorations by his upstairs neighbors.
It is truly miraculous that nobody was seriously injured during the fire or the escapes, and this serves as a reminder to everyone: Please, make sure your home or renters insurance is up to date.
Merry Christmas, and be kind to all.
