Salem, OR – A Hillsboro family is left reeling after a house fire early Saturday morning destroyed their home, leaving them displaced and devastated. The fire, which broke out around 6 a.m. on Southeast Cypress Street, began with the sound of a car alarm and the scent of smoke wafting through the house.
Eviana Lopez, who was asleep at the time, recounted the harrowing moment she woke to her mother, Rebeca Heuila-Siefke, screaming “fire.” In a state of shock, Lopez and her family rushed outside as flames engulfed their home. But as the fire spread, the family realized some of their pets had not made it out.
“We’re happy we all got out, but then I see my son screaming about our pets,” said Heuila-Siefke. “I didn’t have hope; I thought we lost them.”
Among the pets still inside were four dogs, two turtles, a lizard, and a hamster that had been a Christmas gift. The family feared the worst, but a Hillsboro firefighter stepped in to help. In a matter of minutes, the firefighter asked the family what other pets were inside and rushed back into the burning house. He emerged moments later carrying a Home Depot barrel with two of the family’s turtles.
As fire crews continued their efforts to combat the blaze, the firefighter and others managed to rescue the remaining animals, bringing them to safety one by one. Despite their efforts, the home and all of its contents were destroyed. The family lost everything, including their first home, which they had worked so hard to purchase.
“It’s very humbling to lose everything you’ve worked your entire life for, including your first house that you bought,” said Shareena Burney, Heuila-Siefke’s sister-in-law. Burney is now housing the displaced family in her nearby apartment as they try to navigate the difficult aftermath.
Heuila-Siefke, visibly shaken, reflected on the emotional impact of the fire. “I work really hard to provide a good life for my family, and to see that my first home, my Christmas—it was one of the best Christmases I was able to provide for my kids—everything you work so hard for gone in a second,” she said. “But then on the flip side, I thank God for my family—that they’re here. I couldn’t live without any of them.”
The Hillsboro Fire Department is investigating the cause of the fire, but the family suspects it may have been sparked by a lithium-ion battery in a go-kart that was charging in the garage. Lopez has set up an online fundraiser to help the family rebuild their lives, replace their two cars, and cover basic necessities like clothing, food, and personal items.
Burney shared how close the family came to tragedy. “Had they been in there for even a minute more, the fire marshal said they probably wouldn’t have made it out,” she said. “It puts into perspective how quickly things can change and how anything can happen.”
The family faces a long road ahead. It could take up to a year before they are able to return home. In the meantime, they are focusing on rebuilding their lives and are thankful to be surrounded by supportive friends and family during this challenging time.
