Marina Despain was in her apartment making her kids a snack when she suddenly heard a pop outside.
Not thinking much of it, the Fresno State student peeked out and saw the bright flames of fire creeping its way into her home.
She could see the fire spreading into the apartments across from hers. At that moment, she went to look for her car keys but couldn’t find them. Instead, she quickly grabbed her wallet and two kids, a 3-year-old daughter and a 1-year-old son, and ran for the door with nothing but the clothes on her back.
“I didn’t take anything, not even shoes,” Despain said. “My son didn’t have pants on. All that we have is what we were wearing.”
The blaze affected 14 units and displaced at least 15 students on Sunday, Aug. 18 at Maplewood Apartments on Backer Avenue in Fresno.
Despain, a criminology graduate student finishing her last semester, said she lost everything from laptops, official documents, birth certificates and security cards. Notes, textbooks and backpacks were all left charred. The back of her vehicle was also melted off.
“Everything is gone, but we’re just lucky to be alive,” Despain said.
She lived in the two-story apartment for about 10 months with her husband, two children and brother, Johnathan Nunez, who is a second-year music major at Fresno State.
Nunez was at band practice when he heard loud sirens but didn’t suspect anything until his grandparents arrived to inform him.
After driving to the complex, Nunez said, “I was just thinking, man, that’s a lot of stuff that’s gone.”
Nunez, along with his sister and her family, stayed the night at their mom’s house in Clovis and remembers not being able to fall asleep. He said with school starting two days away, he felt stressed out.
“It was a little tough because I was stressing out about assignments given out,” Nunez said. “I was just having anxiety.”
For now, he is staying in a dorm offered by Fresno State. He will live there for at least a month. He has received support from the campus, family and colleagues at school including the marching band.
“It’s been a rough week but with all the support, everyone will make out just fine,” Nunez said.
Both Despain and Nunez will receive funding from the university’s Good Samaritan Fund, which assists students who face unforeseen financial emergencies or catastrophic events that would prevent them from continuing their education.
The campaign has raised $18,691 from 124 different donors and will continue accepting donations until Sept. 18.
Despain said the school’s resources have been helpful, such as the Clothing Closet and Student Cupboard. She too was offered housing in the dorms the night of the fire but didn’t take it because her children were still shaken up.
She advises other students affected to seek help and guidance on campus. At this time, she has not received any notification or assistance from the complex.
“Just contact Fresno State. They’ve been really helpful in providing resources and advice. The support we have been receiving is amazing, so reach out and don’t be afraid to ask,” Despain said.
She is currently staying with family and plans on starting a Ph.D. program in January 2020. Despain started a personal GoFundme account to help her and her family.
“If you’re ever in that situation, just run. Don’t go back for belongings, because it lit up really, really fast,” Despain said.
Geraud Brumfield, a resident from the apartment complex for three years and director of college ministry at First Presbyterian Church, was not affected by the blaze but is offering help to any students who suffered from the fire.
He said most of those who lost their homes had recently moved in.
“They (students) just moved here without a community. But the main thing is if they need anything, my church would love to partner with them,” Brumfield said.
Students can reach Brumfield at 717-331-1917. The church is located on M Street in Fresno and has a website for more information.