FEDERAL WAY, Wash. — A Federal Way family is trying to move forward after fire officials say an illegal firework set their home on fire, burning through the roof and setting the second story ablaze.
Gordon Martinez and eight other members of his extended family were living in the house on Southwest 346th Court, and on Monday night they returned to it to salvage what little they could.
His two-year-old granddaughter, Cherish, hadn’t seen the damage until then.
“There was a big fire,” he told her.
Martinez, his two sons, two daughters, and their families were not home when the firework sparked the fire on the Fourth of July.
“The neighbor behind found a bottle rocket in their backyard,” South King Fire Assistant Fire Marshal Gordon Goodsell. He does not know who lit the firework, but he told KIRO 7 it could have been from several homes away.
Martinez’s son, 19-year-old Brody, had stopped by the house to pick up an item when he saw the fire crews and smoke. From the road, he could see the closet in the bedroom he shares with his girlfriend.
“It's a perfect view,” he said. “It was just thick flames burning our clothes. It was just terrible.”
Brody called his father.
“My heart just dropped, especially just hearing my son cry, you know?” Martinez said. “And then it was for real.”
Martinez did not have renter’s insurance. He said he is focusing on working at his company, Aloha Carpet Cleaning LLC, assessing the damaged items they were able to save, and trying to move forward. The family had lived in the home for about 20 years.
Martinez’s ex-wife and mother of his kids, Kehau Martinez, said they are thankful the community is rallying around them.
“The neighbors and strangers and family, friends, were already here helping and supporting,” she said. “Everybody was so kind and gracious.”
People have donated more than $7,000 online through a GoFundMe site Martinez’s friend set up. They’ve also set up the “Gordon Martinez Benevolent Account” at BECU.
GoFundMe: http://www.gofundme.com/ohanamartinez
Friends for Gordon Martinez Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/#!/FriendsForGordon