The Monroe community stepped up to the plate yet again, responding to a crisis situation with a massive outpouring of care and support as residents sought to provide for another family who lost everything in a house fire.
The home of Dale and Patty Drogseth, located in Monroe's Farm at Woods Creek neighborhood, was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived on scene at 3:21 a.m. on Thursday, July 23. Two dozen firefighters from Monroe, Snohomish, Clearview, Sultan and Gold Bar responded to the two-alarm fire, arriving on scene within about eight minutes from the time of dispatch.
According to Monroe Fire Department Assistant Chief Steve Guptill, preliminary investigation indicated that the blaze started in front of the house in the flowerbed area, spread quickly up the home's vinyl siding and moved into the attic. Further investigation into the cause of the blaze is ongoing.
Patty and Dale's son Aaron Drogseth, a teacher in Shanghai, China since 2008, was visiting Monroe for the summer along with two colleagues, a parent and seven children from China. Meant to promote cultural enhancement and help advance their English-speaking skills, Aaron has enjoyed hosting the kids and introducing them to his home. This year, he brought six kids from Shanghai and a girl from Shenzhen.
"I like coming back for summer because it's great here,GÇ¥ Aaron said. "It's kind of fun to bring the kids. I bring them to the YMCA, so they get to play with American kids and have the experience, and practice English and all that. I did the same sort of thing last year with 11 students. This time it's just seven.GÇ¥
Awakened shortly after 3 a.m. by the fire alarm, Dale, Patty and Aaron evacuated the premises as quickly as possible with their 10 houseguests in tow. Fortunately, their passports were all in one location, and somebody grabbed them on their way outside. They initially tried to get out of the house through the front door, but were stymied by the flames.
"It was fast. By the time we heard the alarms going off, the whole front was bright orange,GÇ¥ Dale said. "It was just minutes.GÇ¥
They reversed their route and made it out into the back yard. Once they got outside Aaron paused to take a headcount, noticing instantly that somebody was missing. Disorientated by the traumatic circumstances, a young girl from China had run back into the home to get her shoes.
Aaron charged back inside to find her and bring her back out.
"I don't know where she is or why she went in and finally I get upstairs and there's smoke all over the place and I find her in the bedroom,GÇ¥ Aaron said. "She's just putting her sock on, wanting her socks and shoes before she goes outside.GÇ¥
He got back outside and the group transitioned from the back yard to the front, not wanting to become trapped by the flames. The Monroe Fire Department was dispatched at 3:13 a.m., in route by 3:16 a.m., with the first engines arriving on scene about five minutes later.
The home is a total loss, but the community response was swift and remarkable, said Dale.
By 11 a.m. on Thursday, the Drogseth's neighbors were already hard at work. Shannon Frediani started a clothing drive, and reached out to Jerry "Big DogGÇ¥ Dixon, owner of Big Dog's mobile hot dog vending service, in hopes of organizing a fundraiser. They collaberated with a neighbor, Kristi Reddick, who offered to host the event in her driveway, and Dixon put the word out on social media that 50 percent of his proceeds would be donated to the Drogseth family.
Reddick opened up her fifth-wheel to the family and their guests, providing them with a temporary home base.
By around 5:30 p.m., Dixon's "HawkdogGÇ¥ truck was set up in Reddick's driveway. Monroe residents walked, drove and rode their bikes to the fundraiser, often pausing to drop money into a donation jar set up by Shannon. Dixon and his fianc+¬e Jan Woolery sold over 176 hot dogs in two hours, which resulted in a donation of just under $600.
Shannon's fire-fund tip jar generated an additional donation of nearly $900 for the family, and additional funds have been donated via a Gofundme page created by Shannon's daughter, Chelsea.
"Seeing the community rally around a family that lost their house less than 24 hours ago is amazing,GÇ¥ Dixon said on Thursday night. "I love Monroe!GÇ¥
Dale and Aaron were overwhelmed by the generosity of their neighbors, stunned at the way they came forward instantly with unwavering support. Bags of clothing, blankets, hand-made quilts, pillows, shoes and much more have been donated, and donations are still coming in. Aaron's colleagues were busy on Thursday during the fundraiser, sifting through items and getting everything organized.
"(They) spent the last six hours sorting clothing and they're going to spend the next eight hours sorting clothing and stuff for the kids,GÇ¥ Dale said. "The neighborhood has been so great.GÇ¥
To Aaron, the most important thing was that nobody was hurt. The fact that the passports were rescued was an added bonus, and the community response has been incredible.
"The neighborhood has cushioned the blow quite a bit,GÇ¥ Aaron said.
To donate to the Drogseth family via Chelsea's Gofundme page, please visit: http://www.gofundme.com/7y4m2q9hb8. The Drogseth family is the fourth family in the last month to lose everything in a home structure fire.
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