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Community coming together after man killed in Mesa house fire

Posted at 10:51 PM, Oct 02, 2016
and last updated 2016-10-03 12:52:06-04
A day after a fire claimed the life of a Mesa man, neighbors are coming together to help the family after the tragedy.
 
Sunday, neighbors and strangers dropped off boxes of clothing and food — anything a family may need after losing a loved one and their home in a fire.  
 
“We help our neighbors, and we love them, and do what we can to help everybody," said Una Phelps, a neighbor who does not the victims.
 
All morning people stopped by the house near Val Vista and Broadway where the fire claimed the life of 53-year-old Manuel Anthony Garcia on Saturday afternoon. 
 
Neighbor Kara Jordan, who lives across the street, put up a sign so that people would know how to help. 
 
“As soon as we put them out, we had people stopping like this and getting out of their car in the rain," Jordan said. 
 
Car after car stopped to take a flier with information on a donation page online. Jordan also organized so that clothes and food for the family could be dropped off at her home. 
 
“My grandson is getting in his piggybank and bringing down $10," neighbor Jackie Piggush said.
 
When the home went up in flames, three women rushed to make it out.
 
“How do you get out of the house in an emergency like that?" Jordan said. "You just run. So we’re just trying to make sure they have what they need."
 
She says the family is in shock. Not only are they in need of material items, but emotional support as well.
 
“Even just coming over and writing a note [for the family] we got it out here," Jordan said. 
 
“It’s reality. Sadness. It could happen to anybody," Piggush said. 
 
If you would like to help the family, click here.