Community Rallies to Support Family Left Homeless by Fire

The charred remains of the Griswolds' kitchen is only part of the destruction done by Friday's fire.

Neighbors, friends and residents throughout Menifee are responding today in a show of support for a family of four left homeless after their house was severely damaged by fire Friday night.

A steady stream of concerned residents are dropping off clothing, food, storage bins and other items at a neighbor next door to the Griswold family home in the 29900 block of Pacific Channel Way. Jeff and Jennafer Griswold and their two children -- a 16-year-old son and 14-year-old daughter -- are staying with neighbors while awaiting word from their insurance company about temporary housing. Neighbors also are taking care of their three dogs.

It has not yet been determined whether the house is considered a total loss, but virtually the entire interior was destroyed and most of the family's belongings are gone. Fortunately, the only injury suffered was minor burns to the hands and face of Jennafer Griswold, who was home alone when the fire broke out about 8 p.m. Friday.

Jennafer Griswold said she dropped off her children early for the Paloma Valley High School football game at about 5:30 p.m., came home and plugged in a new X-Box gaming system. While it was updating, she fell asleep on the couch. Her husband Jeff was on his way home from work.

"The next thing I heard was a beeping sound," she said. "I thought the kids were calling me. Then I realized it was a fire alarm.

"I couldn't get out the front. I can't tell you where the flames were. I felt the heat, but my perception was that it was all around me."

Jennafer said a neighbor who called 911 told her it appeared only the middle wall of the house was on fire. But by the time firefighters arrived, the fire had spread into the attic and to most of the rooms of the house. Only 16-year-old Michael's room was left virtually intact.

Still disoriented from awakening to such a frightening scene, Jennafer managed to get out through the back of the house with two of her dogs. Shen then went back into the burning house in search of the third dog, receiving burns on her hand while doing so.

"I went back in to get the puppy," she said. "That's when it became too much for me. I was about to leave her in there but she finally came to me just as I was about to give up."

The cause of the fire is under investigation. While the Griswold family awaits help from the insurance company and the Red Cross, aid is coming from all directions. The driveway of neighbor Michelle West-Espejo is already filling up with items that have been dropped off.

"We have wonderful friends and neighbors," Jennafer said. "The kids went to one place with the dogs and we went to another friend's house.

"I can't tell you how many times I've read stories like this and said, 'Oh no, it's happening to them at holiday time.' I keep telling myself, 'This isn't happening to you. You're going to wake up in a minute and everything will be fine.' "

Jennafer is a stay-at-home mom. She works part-time but has the responsibility of caring for an autistic child. Jack drives to Pasadena every day to work. Challenges lie ahead, but the family is grateful they escaped the tragedy virtually unharmed.

"I feel blessed I have so many people, family so close," Jennafer said. "I don't even know where to begin, but I think there's a lot of people worse off than we are. This is all stuff. In a week, I don't know if I'll be this optimistic."

Donations may be dropped off next door to the Griswold home at 29967 Pacific Channel Way. Here is information on clothing sizes:

14-year-old girl: Lg-XL tops, 14-16 pants, size 10 shoes

16-year-old boy: 2X shirts, size 42 pants, size 14 shoe

Mother: 2X tops, size 22 pants, size 10 1/2 size

Father: XL shirts, size 36-38 pants, size 12 shoe

Jennafer Griswold (yellow shirt) talks with neighbors in front of the family's burned-out house.