EAST CHICAGO, Ind. () — An East Chicago police officer and her three children made it out safely after an early Wednesday fire tore through the Harvey townhome they had been renting, destroying the home and leaving them with only what they had on.
Jocelyn Mendez said she was asleep with her children, ages 5, 9 and 13, when their dog started barking at about 3 a.m. Wednesday. She soon realized the unit next door was burning, and the flames had already reached her side of the roof.
“It was my kids’ home,” Mendez said. “They grew up there. My two youngest, they were born and raised there, so for them to lose their childhood home is what hurts the most.”
Mendez said she moved quickly, waking her children and getting everyone out of the townhome.
“So I rushed to wake up my middle child, and then I went to grab my youngest child and my oldest, and she grabbed my dog, and we all just, we all ran out,” Mendez said. “We were all literally in our PJs. My oldest actually was just in her socks. She didn’t have any shoes on.”
The Harvey Fire Department said a child from the neighboring unit suffered burns and was taken to a hospital, where the child was listed in fair condition. Officials said the cause of the fire is still under investigation, though it appears suspicious.
Mendez said the fire wiped out everything the family owned.
Community members are now stepping in to help, organizing a donation drive for the family. The drive is planned for Sunday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the East Chicago Police Department.
“It has been amazing to see so many people come together to help,” said crisis responder Lisette Guillen with Case Files Chicago, who is helping to organize the drive. “She is usually the one that’s running to the trouble. She is the one that’s running to help others, and now it seems the tables have turned.”
Mendez said she has been overwhelmed by the support.
“To see how big this has gotten already and the amount of people that want to help, it’s a blessing,” she said. “I’m very grateful.”
In addition to monetary donations, organizers are seeking clothing and shoes for the children.
