PORT ANGELES — Friends and family set up an account to benefit Joan Schott and her son, Mark, whose home was destroyed in a fire on Saturday.
Those who wish to donate may do so at Strait-View Credit Union, 220 S. Lincoln St.
Both Joan and Mark Schott were at their home at 2820 S. Laurel St. when the fire began in the basement at about 2 a.m. on Saturday.
They escaped without serious injury but were treated and discharged for smoke inhalation at Olympic Medical Center.
Debbie Sanford, Joan’s daughter, said the community has already been phoning to help.
“People have been so generous and caring,” she said.
“At this point, there isn’t anything specific that people could donate; they just need to be able to get by until they can figure out how to re-establish themselves.”
Joan and Mark Schott were staying at Joan’s brother’s home immediately after the fire.
Anyone who would like to help the Schotts in other ways should phone her brother, Winfred Schuman, at 360-457-4585.
Temporary home
A family friend offered a one-bedroom rental, where the two will stay temporarily, Sanford said.
“It is teeny tiny, so they can’t really get too much stuff until they decide what to do next,” she said.
The house was insured, she said.
Joan Schott, 75, had lived in the three-story house for more than 40 years.
The external part of structure is erect, but the fire gutted everything inside.
It is not suspected to be arson, said Capt. James Mason on Sunday.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Joan Schott’s son, Jeff, also lives in Port Angeles, and Debbie Sanford and Ron Schott, her other two children, live in the Seattle area.
__________
Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladaily news.com.