SAN DIEGO — Recovery efforts of the Willow Fire in Rancho San Diego continue. The fire destroyed one home and the community is coming forward to help the family.
The Willow Fire broke out near the residential area of the 2800 block of Willow Glen Drive in Rancho San Diego near El Cajon Wednesday night, winds shifted quickly, blowing through destroying one home and damaging six others.
The home of Doug and Michele Howarth is gone.
“I’m thankful my dad is alive, it is a miracle, even the firefighters told us, that’s all we have to hold onto right now," said Gwendolyn Palvick of Carlsbad.
The couple's daughter told News 8, through the loss, they are a family of faith.
Palvick’s mother was visiting her while her father her was evacuating. He had no time to grab his belongings.
“The pictures are gone, he didn’t even have to time to get his shoes, only having the pajamas on his back, and he got his car,” said Palvick.
Palvick says a family friend started a GoFundPage and the family is overwhelmed with all the community’s messages, support and donations. She says her parents will restore what have built over the 30 years, the home on the hill, what the Howarth’s call the Beacon.
