Local Family Loses Everything in House Fire

On Friday, August 30th, 2024, around 4:00AM, Wahiahawi Jacobs and Derek Cook, along with their four children lost their family home to a fire that almost instantly consumed their entire house.

Indian Time spoke to Wahiahawi and Derek, who shared what happened on that early morning.

Wahiahawi said, "We were all sleeping in the living room that night. I woke up because I could hear somebody yelling, but I could also hear this other sound – but I didn't understand what it was I'm hearing. So, I got up and I walked into the kitchen, and when I walked into the kitchen, that's when I could see there was a fire. It was the porch – the porch was on fire! The fire hadn't reached the inside of the house yet. It was just starting to touch the house. I was like oh my god! I woke up the girls who were all sleeping in the living room and told them we have to get out and we headed out the back door."

Luckily for Wahiahawi and her girls, Althea Lazore's sons Dawson and Draydon were driving by when they saw the fire. They immediately stopped and started to yell – telling them to get out of the house – it's on fire. Owen Green, a neighbor also arrived to assist the family.

As Wahiahawi and her girls rushed out though the back door the fresh air created a back draft sending the flames from the porch directly into the house.

Once her daughters were safely outside, Wahiahawi went back inside to retrieve her cell phone, and car keys. At this point the fire had moved up along the eve of the roof and ceiling.

Wahiahawi said, "I could just see what was like rolling flames. I was too scared to grab my key, so I just turned around and ran out."

The young guys asked if anyone else was inside the home and they had already called the local police and fire department.

She added, "Our neighbors came over to make sure we were all ok. We had nothing left. All we had left were the clothes we were wearing. We didn't even have shoes on.

We thought we had lost our dog in the fire, who was on the porch. My daughter, she's 11 and she really took it hard. When we come walking around the front porch, everything was just in flames – the entire porch, and now a huge part of the house was in flames. My daughter had put our dog in a cage earlier in the evening. But later on that night, after she had fallen asleep I went out and hooked the dog on a leash outside. But my daughter didn't know that. When we come out of the house you could see the cage and everything was in flames. She so distraught. To her, she thought we had lost our home and our dog."

Wahiahawi and her girls went to Derek's parents' house, where he was house sitting while his parents were on vacation. Soon after she received a call saying they may have found her dog. Not wanting to upset her girls any further, she asked for a photo of the dog.

"He was alive. And we couldn't believe it. We had just stopped crying and we got our breath. Then she sends a picture of our dog alive and we're crying again. We were so happy for this."

Everything was burnt, melted, or water damaged, "Yeah, it was just like the craziest thing to go in and see a day later. But the most interesting thing was, I had a little bookshelf and it held some oils and my crystals, a couple of family photos along with a purple sweetgrass basket. Everything on top of that shelf was black and burnt, but the sweet grass basket wasn't touched. We're just amazed."

Within hours of the house fire neighbors, families, friends and co-workers all stepped up to assist Wahiahawi and Derek get back on their feet. Losing everything – including new school clothes for their girls is hard to imagine.

"I think we're in shock for the first two days, even though we were receiving help from different people. The community really stepped up. I can't emphasize enough how good and generous our community is. And I mean, not just for us, but I'm sure for anybody who's been in need. The community around here is just awesome. We were both upset about the girls losing stuff, but it seems like the kids are so taken care of around here. Everyone wanted to know what size shoes, what size clothes they wear. And we received so much, so much help and assistance. And I just can't thank everybody enough."

Several fundraisers have taken place, including joker boards and raffles online. Wahiahawi said her sister Gina-Kawi Jacobs immediately started fundraising. Jonathan Lazore also helped with several raffles. Friends and family have dropped off gift cards and the Akwesasne Powwow held a benefit blanket dance on Sunday for the family – 'they did an honor song for us, even that was so emotional. I had heard somebody say this before, and I really believe it now – it was really good medicine to be there.'

The Powwow Committee also made a direct donation to the family.

Derek said, "I know one person who donated to us and I'm sure they're on a fixed income and everything. I don't know, maybe they don't have a lot to give. Yet, they donated money to us. I didn't want to accept it but they were very persistent. They said, no, because you need this and 'your good people.' When you actually hear somebody say that, that brings tears to my eyes."

Wahiahawi ended with, "You know, you lose the house, and then thinking you lose your dog. I think that would have hurt more. Later, when we went back into the house we were able to save some things. Yeah, different things like a photo album of the girls and some other stuff. It's just things, right? It's just things and those things can all be replaced. We made it out and we are all safe"

There are two major fundraisers planned this weekend to assist Wahiahawi, Derek and their girls. On Saturday, September 14th a Jamboree Benefit and Chicken Dinner will start at 12noon until all is sold. A dance to follow from 7pm to12pm. All taking place at the American Legion Post 1479.

A Mohawk Auction & Lasagna Benefit Luncheon will take place on September 13 and 14 at the Akwesasne Homemakers in Snye. The auction starts Friday at 10am to 6pm. The luncheon starts on Friday from 11am until all is sold. The auction continues Saturday from 10am to 3pm.

Also, donations for the auction can be dropped off at the Akwesasne Homemakers in Snye on River Road or at Wolfpack Gift Shop on Rt #7. Or call 613 575 1464 for pick up.

The family is still seeking donations. Donations can be dropped off at Mohawk Plumbing or Northern Lights.