Heartbreak

So much of the news relates to the heartbreaking damage that has ravaged California and the Western states. Many of us know people personally effected or displaced from fire loss, ourselves included.

The Butte fire of 2015 claimed our cabin and property of over 50 years in Calaveras County, our “Peace o’ Land.” Also a nephew lost his Lake County home.

The fire of Labor Day weekend greatly effected our family. It was not caused by an of nature, but by homeless people who left a fire burning, which caught the fence on fire, and then a large shed behind their home.

My sister, Yvonne Frohrib, 91, was the original owner since 1953. She and her husband, Mel, raised their family there. The “Frohrib Home” was and remained the gathering place for family and friends through those years.

My sister, Vonnie, was crocheting an afghan for a grandson about 8:30 when she realized a fire had reached her home. The fire crew from the Oakwood Station were prompt, efficient and compassionate. They were able to prevent complete destruction of the house. Sadly, all of the furnishings were ruined and will be replaced or refurbished. Vonnie will not be able to host the traditional Thanksgiving dinner — looks like it will be at the Nunes’ home this year. We will be thankful that she was not asleep, which would be even a more tragic event.

The firefighters related that there about 40 such fires a month in Vallejo — but not all were reported in the news, which led me to write this letter. We often read of the good people of our city who are trying to help with the plight of the homeless, yet I also see the trail of trash that is piled along our off ramps,empty lots, as well as streets that are no longer safe

Donna Nunes/Vallejo