Colin and Laura Crawford with their children, Hudson, 9, and Cameron, 12. (Photo courtesy of Laura Crawford)
Laura Crawford woke up at 2 a.m. Sunday morning, which happened to be her birthday, and saw bright lights outside her window. She first thought her husband was on the deck making a fire in the chiminea, but upon closer inspection, it was no birthday surprise.
The deck of their Old Lake Highlands home was on fire. She headed into the kitchen to see if she could put it out with a hose, but when she saw the flames breaking the windows, she realized her family needed to evacuate.
Her husband, Colin, ran into the kitchen in time to see the fire blow in the back door, causing the couple to rush their two children out of their house, along with Laura’a parents who were visiting from Austin. The fire department arrived soon (neighbors had called 911 before the Crawfords), but the flames had destroyed most of the home.
“It was so scary how fast it all happened,” Laura says. While all the people made it out, the family lost their kitten in the blaze.
Without even their shoes, they watched the burning house from across the street as their neighbors made sure they were alright.
“It was surreal,” Laura says.
The Crawfords made short-term housing plans. But they will most likely be out of a house for six months, and may never return, depending on how insurance shakes out.
Their friend and neighbor Bonnie Trei started a fundraising effort to help support the family until the insurance check comes through. Trei has two children that are the same age as the Crawford children, who go to Hexter Elementary and JL Long Middle schools.
“They are such a sweet family and are very involved in schools. They have such a great network of friends,” Trei says.
Trei has had a couple friends who have experienced fires recently, and has learned about all the overlooked needs that come up before the insurance check comes through, such as toiletries and clothes. The fundraiser is for all those little needs and had raised nearly $7,000 toward their $10,000 goal.
The Crawford family hopes to use this experience to help other families see the importance of a fire escape plan and working smoke detectors, and have been moved by the community’s response.
“It has been overwhelming and touching,” Laura says. “Thankfully, everything that we lost can be replaced.”
Click here to donate to the Crawford family.
