South San Francisco, CA April 17, 2017
What do you do when you have lost everything in a home fire? That is what 14 South San Francisco residents were forced to confront on Wednesday March 1st after a 3 alarm fire displaced them from their 610 Olive Avenue homes around the time most of us were thinking about dinner. The fire started on the 2nd floor and spread to the 3rd floor destroying 3 of the 7 units leaving families without a place to go. (FIRE VIDEO CLICK HERE)
The three story apartment building sustained heavy damage. Photo CBS
Three of these families have children that attend the Martin Elementary School and the Martin Meteors immediately reached out to help. Martin teacher Deborah Carlino and her husband, SSFPD Captain Ron Carlino, have always been dedicated to helping our community so it came as no surprise when they saw the devastation they put the word out seeking additional help. “The families need food, clothing, and help locating a new home.” Captain Carlino wrote a few days after the fire. “My understanding is that they were given some type of shelter for the next two weeks, but they will have no place to go after that.” He and Deborah gifted the families with Target cards to help them with urgent needs along with other donations given by neighboring Sunshine Garden Elementary School community during their morning Flag Salute later that week. Other donations have also been made by caring neighbors.
Patrick Cheung, owner of The Back Doctor on Grand Avenue, worked with the Kiwanis Club of SSF and Kiwanis Cal-Nev-Ha Foundation to secure $1000 donation to go to each family which will be presented tomorrow to family members during Community Time at Martin School.
“This is indeed another example of the great community members and leaders that we have here at South City.” said Martin Principal Jonathon Covacha ” I know that I speak for the Martin nation and the three families when I say that we are very grateful with organizations like Kiwanis Club of SSF for always being there to support, encourage, and strengthen the relationship between the school district and the city. Thank you.”