ELK, Wash — One family is grieving the loss of what they used to call home in Elk.
Many in the Elk community know what it's like to lose their homes to fire after last year's Oregon Road fire. Now, they are lending a hand where they can.
A Halloween night that was supposed to be full of costumes and candy quickly turned into devastation for the Grier family, who lost their home and five pets to a house fire in Elk, Washington.
“I am just glad no one was in the house,” Hadley Grier said.
Ashely Grier said the house fire is still a mystery. She says the local fire department will not know the cause for at least another week.
But she does know that the south end of the house was the hottest part, and unfortunately, she says the home is not salvageable.
“With everything going on right now, there’s nothing that we can afford, especially after losing everything," Ashley said. "So, I think springtime will be our game plan to figure out our next move.”
The family of five has moved into a family member's house nearby. But with snow and the holidays fast approaching, they will have to wait until the new year to figure out the next steps.
“I am doing okay," Tyson Grier said. "I am fine. I just have to go day-by-day processing, and I just have to remember to be positive and don’t let anyone or anything bring me down.”
As for now, Grier says they are trying their best to get through each day. The family is looking forward to the holidays to spend time with family and loved ones as they process the future.
"Just lean on everybody, even in a small community," Ashley said. "You will be surprised by who comes out to help."
The family said the community support has been amazing already and they will continue to accept donations through their GoFundMe page. Ashley said the superintendent of Riverside School District immediately bought her kids brand new costumes and visited the family on Halloween night, dressed up in a Spider-Man costume to ensure the kiddos still had a great Halloween.
They have another fundraiser happening here in Elk this weekend.
