Fund set up to help family who lost home

Dozens of callers offered financial help Wednesday to a family who lost its home and several pets in a Tuesday fire in northwest Spokane County. However, because of a mix-up, an account to help the family wasn’t activated until 2:45 p.m. Wednesday.

“I was just so disheartened,” said Carol Brazington, who called to set up the account at U.S. Bank branches. “Hopefully, people will come back and make contributions.”

Brazington owns Adult Family Homes, where Gabrielle Thomas works as a nurse’s assistant.

Thomas got off her night shift and was shopping for groceries Tuesday morning when she got the call that her family’s home at 11515 N. Craig was burning. Her daughter, 27-year-old Gisela Thomas, suffered smoke inhalation when she rescued two dogs and a cat. Three dogs and at least four cats were killed.

All the family possessions were destroyed in the fire. The mobile home was not insured.

Brazington bought Thomas clothes on Wednesday because she has nothing else to wear.

“She is just one of the nicest people. If this had happened to someone else, she would be the first person to help,” Brazington said.

The American Red Cross received several calls from people offering to provide everything from a place to stay, to more cats.

The family has geese, ducks, rabbits, chickens, cats, dogs and five horses. “There’s not a stray animal that she would not take in. She would not eat herself so she could care for her animals,” Brazington said.

Anyone wishing to donate clothes or other items can drop them off at Adult Family Homes, 2021 S. Rebecca St. For information, call 535-5511.

Cash donations can be made to the Gabrielle Thomas Family Trust Fund at any area U.S. Bank branch.