Rialto Fire, Police Departments Come Together To Help Family Who Lost Everything In Blaze
RIALTO (CBSLA.com) — The Rialto fire and police departments are coming together to help out a family who lost everything in a blaze last week.
Michelle Montano and her two small children credited their working fire alarms as the reason they got out of their residence alive in the early morning hours of Dec. 12.
"That's what saved our lives. It was just a nightmare," Montano said.
The house, along with everything the Montano family owns, was destroyed in the electrical fire, however.
Firefighters decided to take the family on a $5,000 shopping trip.
"To be able to give them a little Christmas joy, it's what we live for," firefighter Matt Payne said.
Police are raising thousands of dollars for the family. They also created a GoFundMe account for the public to contribute, as well.
"It will help with rent utilities, food, getting them back to their quality of life. It's very important to us," police technician Noretta Barker said.
KCAL9's Crystal Cruz reports the Montanos did not have renter's insurance, so every little bit helps.
The officials' generosity has made Montano's 11-year-old daughter Aleeha want to do something special with her life.
"Well, I was telling my mom that I was thinking about being a firefighter," Aleeha said.
