Neighbors Text Pics Of Home In Flames As Family Drives Across State
ARVADA, Colo. (CBS4) - An Arvada family that was on the other side of the state when their house broke out in flames had an agonizing drive home over the weekend.
"Scared and angry, sad, crying," Donte Makatura told CBS4 as he described during his family's emotional, multi-hour drive back from Grand Junction to the Front Range on Sunday.
Makatura said neighbors called them to alert them about the fire and they immediately began driving home. The neighbors then sent digital photos of the burning home to the family's cellphones as they drove.
"I just couldn't believe it. I didn't believe that was my house. What were the odds that would be my house on fire," Makatura said.
No one was hurt in the fire, which started in Makatura's house on West 70th Drive and then spread to a neighbor's shed next door. The fire was so hot, it melted part of a van in the driveway.
Sarah Branstiter who lives across the street was one of those who kept the family up to date about what was going on.
"I went into the yard and I looked over and I saw flames coming off of her house," Branstiter said. "I ran to see if her dogs were okay."
Branstiter called 911 and once the fire trucks arrived she called her friend, Makatura mom.
"She didn't answer, and I didn't want to leave a message saying that your house is on fire," Branstiter said.
Branstiter said they could hear all the smoke alarms going off inside the house as the fire burned. Eventually she and other friends of the woman were able to get in touch with the homeowner.
"She's like ok you're safe we're safe, the dogs are safe. it will be ok," Branstiter said. "It's a horrible thing that happened but if it's going to happen to somebody, she's very strong. She rolls with the punches and she'll figure out a way to look at this as a blessing instead of a curse," she said.
The fire left the home uninhabitable. The neighbors whose shed burned said a neighbor rang their doorbell to let them know.
"I don't even remember who know it was, they were yelling 'Fire,'" said Helen Stellmac.
Stellmac said when she ran out side the "flames were just shooting really high and they were covering my son's car."
"I'm just thankful it didn't happen in the middle of the night when everybody was sleeping," she told CBS4.
Investigators are now trying to determine the cause of the fire.
