PORT ANGELES — A couple burned out of their house just before New Year’s are grappling with their future plans.
Donna Lewis, 59, and Michael Golling, 49 — who have been together for about 20 years — and their dog Missy survived.
But all of their possessions as well as two dogs, Trixie and Boomer, and a cat, Jojo, were lost to the flames last Wednesday.
“After this whole situation, we’re thinking we might move to Oregon to be closer to my kids,” said Lewis.
“We’re not getting any younger, and now with this, moving might be for the best.”
Making toast
The 24-foot by 60-foot manufactured home at 111 Alder Lane in Port Angeles was already aflame with the roof and walls collapsing by the time firefighters arrived.
“Michael was making toast, and the toast got stuck,” said Lewis.
“He heard a pop, and the wire in the wall was bright red and the wall burst open and fire came out.”
Lewis, who was out running errands at the time and returned home to see it ablaze, said Golling grabbed the fire extinguisher and used up its contents, but the flames spread too quickly.
“The animals had run to the back room, and he went and climbed up and tried to break a window.
“But the fire blew right out at him, and he fell off of the pallet and he just couldn’t get in to save them.
“The only way Missy survived is because she was already outside.”
Seeking a rental
Golling and Lewis are staying with family members and had checked into some rentals in Port Angeles.
“The ones I’ve talked to so far don’t take dogs,” she said.
“So we haven’t decided what to do.”
After contacting the Olympic Peninsula Red Cross, the couple have a few changes of clothes and some emergency cash to help them buy food.
The house was insured, and the adjuster is expected today to evaluate the home’s damage, Lewis said.
“We’ll just have to wait and see what they say,” she said.
Firefighters with three engines fought the fire, but the home could not be saved.
“By the time they got there, there was nothing left to save,” Lewis said.
“We just couldn’t save anything — the fire spread so fast.”
Aside from the flag hanging from the outside of the house, all else was charred and in ashes.
Firefighters remained at the house until 9:30 a.m. Thursday to make sure embers did not reignite.
Account set up
An account at Sterling Savings Bank, 1033 E. First St., Port Angeles, has been set up to accept donations under the names of Donna Lewis and Michael Golling.
To contact the couple, phone 360-417-5429 or 360-670-6164.
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Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladaily news.com.
