Crime & Safety

Fourth of July Fire Victims Attempt to Salvage Belongings, Rebuild Lives

A fire ignited by illegal fireworks burned 12 units at the Glen Manor apartment building, leaving 32 residents homeless.

It was Fourth of July, and Jennifer Azpeitia was making hot dogs, when the roof of her corner unit at Glen Manor Apartments . 

Azpeitia, who lives with her parents, two brothers and one sister, her husband and newborn daughter at 6930 Commerce Blvd. in Rohnert Park, and her brother were the only ones one home, of the family of eight.

"My mom and everyone was downstairs doing laundry, and my brother was gone, when I looked out the window and saw the fire, Azpeitia said Wednesday, as she surveyed her apartment for anything salvageable.

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Melted baby toys littered the floor, layered with insulation and clothing, pots and pans, an old purse, scorched family photos — remnants of life. 

"Do you think I can take this?" Azpeitia asked her mother, Trinidad Arenal, 43, as she picked up a nearly new infant's toy tricycle. "I probably shouldn't risk it, it's for the baby."

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Azpeitia and the other 32 residents, who lived in the 12 units that were demolished by the blaze, were first allowed back inside their apartments Monday, after fire officials said it was safe. They had till midday Wednesday to get whatever they save from the fire.

"They said they had to fix a broken leaky water pipe, and make sure the roof wouldn't collapse on us ... and they said something about asbestos," she said. "I saved some clothes, a baby stroller and some pictures from the fridge."

Amanda Hopkins, 22, and Victoria Ruiz, roommates who also lived in a corner apartment, said they couldn't save much, just a few CDs, some clothing, books and a bookshelf.

"I also got my jewelry box my mom made me," Hopkins said. 

"We're sad and upset, but we definitely don't have it the worst," Ruiz said. "We're staying with my mom in Cotati." 

Rebuilding After the Fire

Without renter's insurance, the fire has made it difficult to get back to normal life, Hopkins said. 

"But we're lucky compared to some of the other families," she said.

Azpeitia and her family have some renter's insurance, and Red Cross helped with a weeklong stay at an area motel, but they're unsure how much insurance will cover and how long they'll be able to keep paying out of pocket.

The fire destroyed everything: beds, baby toys and clothing, dishes, clothes.

"American Red Cross helped us a lot, and we got a new place, but we can't move in till Aug. 11," Azpeitia said. "It's hard paying for everything all over again, it's hard starting over."

It's even more difficult for Alicia Chinchilla, 47, and her husband Noel Najarro, 39. The two moved to Cotati, but did it all without renter's insurance and little financial assistance. 

"We're really really sad that we lost everything," Najarro said as he hugged his wife. "People have been helping us a lot, though, donating stuff." 

Editor's note: If you'd like to help any of the families listed above, call or email Rohnert Park Patch editor Angela Hart, at 707-239-9418, angela.hart@patch.com or contact Mark Giunchigliani at 707-321-8457, email is CRIdude@aol.com.

A fund for the Arenal family has also been set up at Bank of the West. Donations can be made to any Bank of the West branch, to: Silva Arenal Fire Fund FBO a/c#021048462. 


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