ZILLAH, Wash. – After his home caught fire on October 14, Zillah’s tight-knit community rallied together to make sure Tristen Jensen, 12, has what he needs to move on after losing nearly everything he owns in the unexpected blaze.
From clothes to shoes, to family treasures – so much of what Jensen knew as home was left burnt and charred weeks ago. Just hours before, he was doing what a lot of kids his age love to do – play football.
“It’s really good, my coaches are really nice,” Jensen said.
But on Monday October 14, he had to go through something no one should ever have to experience, when his home caught fire while he and his dad were still inside.
“I was screaming for my dad to get the fire extinguisher,” Jensen said. “I was inside taking a shower, and I ran to my friend’s house wrapped up in a towel. I lost all my clothes, I didn’t even want to change, I threw my phone on my bed, and I ran out.”
The young boy raced across the street, not knowing what else to do but get out; thankfully this neighborhood had his back, and his dad got out safely, too. But the house is unlivable. Each room scattered with what’s left, walls and doors blackened.
Jensen lost nearly all his clothes and a few collectables in the blaze. But what hurts the most are the perished family treasures.
“A couple of my mom’s pictures, like a whole Jensen[generation] picture book.”
And to answer how it felt when the 12-year-old realized those priceless, precious memories were lost? One word:
“Heartbroken,” Jensen said quietly.
Jensen’s mom died five years ago. Heidi Robertson, a long-time family friend, knows losing that light was a major loss.
“It’s been hard, it was definitely an adjustment, she was his everything, they were very very close,” Robertson said. “They were able to get her ashes out of the fire that night for him, which was huge, it was amazing that the firefighters made that a priority to do that.”
Now, Jensen and his dad are staying at a hotel in town, trying to figure out next steps. Robertson knows it’s easy to help a kid like the boy she’s watched grow up in Zillah.
“Oh man, he is the sweetest, kindest and most humble kid. For having to go through what he’s already gone through in his young life, he’s an amazing kid,” she said. “He’s smart, he loves school, he loves football, his friends – he’s just a really great kid. So easy to want to help and make sure he has everything he needs.”
Friends, neighbors, and strangers alike stepped up to donate, making sure Jensen has everything he needs so he and his dad don’t have to worry. The community flew past Robertson’s GoFundMe goal of $5,000 – raising so far $6,840 to restore Jensen’s life essentials.
“Everybody’s been more than willing to help and donate. People went out and bought brand new clothes, people donated clothes that they had, shoes and toiletries,” Robertson said. “And things that I wouldn’t even think of right off the top of my mind – like of course he needs soap and toothbrushes and all the things that every day you use that you don’t even realize that were lost.”
With the funds raised by the community, Robertson was able to take Jensen shopping for new clothes and shoes. A silver lining was created in a difficult time, serving as a true testament to what it means to grow up in a small, tight-knit town, like Zillah.
“Thank you so much to everybody that is helping me out,” Jensen said.
And if you feel the desire to help Jensen, the fundraiser created by Robertson is still live online. You can find that by going to Heidi Robertson’s Facebook page.
