Lakeside residents Begin recovery After Devastating Coches Fire
Lakeside, CA – One week after the Coches fire ripped through a Lakeside neighborhood, residents are beginning the long process of recovery with the help of resources offered by San Diego County adn volunteer organizations. The fire injured two people, destroyed six homes, and damaged three others.
Sharon Martin, a resident who lost her home in the blaze, described the experience as “still in shock and grief…very extremely upsetting to lose your home. It was very nurturing to me.” martin recounted witnessing a Eucalyptus tree ignite and send embers toward her property.”Just kind of panicked…Ran outside to grab the hose and see if I could put something out,” she said.
Beyond the structure itself, Martin mourned the loss of irreplaceable personal items, including paintings by her late daughter. “I lost a daughter many years ago and she was a painter, so I had a lot of her paintings hanging on the wall, and it reminded me so much of her, and that was a big loss,” she explained.
A recovery and resources event hosted by the county and volunteers provided assistance to fire victims like Martin. The Red Cross offered temporary housing – a 28-day stay at an Airbnb – and Martin is currently staying at a Motel 6. “The red cross was very, very helpful,” she said.
The event offered information on inspections, rebuilding permits, self-sufficiency programs, and replacement of vital records. Martin Arias with the San Diego county Assessor’s Office stated that fire victims may qualify for a temporary property tax reduction.
Fire officials are also offering support. “We are helping individuals who are fire victims…we can help guidance them through part of the process or even help them find the right contact,” said Davis, a local fire resource representative. On-site services included printing lost or damaged vital documents.
Martin emphasized the importance of fire preparedness. “It is very important. It happens very quickly,and you want to have that grab back that they keep talking about,medications,I lost my medications,I had to go to the pharmacy and have them replaced,” she said. She urged others to assemble a “go-bag” with essential items.