Crime & Safety

San Mateo Family Still Needs Help Following House Fire

Uatesoni and Anna Paasi, who have been living in a homeless shelter after the Dec. 5 fire, are grateful for any donations to help rebuild their home.

Earlier this month, a San Mateo family lost everything in a house fire -- and have reportedly been living in a homeless shelter ever since.

Following the Dec. 5 fire at 1523 York Ave., a website was established to raise money for the family.

The deadline to reach the family's goal of raising $100,000 to repair the home and replace the contents was recently extended to Jan. 3, to give community members who are able to donate a little extra time to do so.

The blaze caused around $250,000 in damage to the structure and an additional $50, 000 to the contents.

Uatesoni and Anna Paasi are extremely grateful for what has been donated already, according to their family members.

There were four people in the house asleep at the time of the fire -- three of them were their children -- when they were awakened by the smell of smoke just before 10 p.m. 

Five fire engines, one ladder truck and two Battalion Chiefs were dispatched to the blaze, equally 21 firefighters. Neighboring agency Central County Fire Department assisted San Mateo units.

The flames were extinguished within 15 minutes, and no one was injured, according to fire officials.

Visit their page at youcaring.com to donate.


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