Fire Destroys Auburn Women's Transition House, But Hope Remains

AUBURN (CBS13) – The weather could be to blame for a fire that's displaced more than a dozen women and children in transitional housing.

A witness' cell phone pictures captured flames rising, taking over a three-story home on Lincoln Way in Auburn – a fire investigators say started in the front of the home and tore through it.

"I was just really scared because the trees are all close and kind of connect with all the grass and come to our back patio, so I was really concerned," said witness Valen Keefer.

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Firefighters contained the fire and all the children and women were able to get out safely.

But in the daylight it's clear: the building is a loss.

"Well, it's heartbreaking because you know there's women and children here. Honestly, this is the start of their new life. This is the start of their transformation and change," said a woman who wanted to remain anonymous.

She is a former tenant of The Courage House, a drug rehabilitation center for women to stay with their kids.

A place like this isn't just a house, it's a home. And donations have been pouring in for the children and women who lived here.

"What I witnessed is an amazing community, an amazing community coming together and really pulling together and helping these women. I mean, there's tons of donations, there's tons of food," the woman said.

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And there's a lot of hope. The woman who runs The Courage House says the women will be moved into other transitional homes for now. While the fire made this building unlivable, The Courage House and its programs will live on.

The woman who runs The Courage House wouldn't say exactly what their plans are, only that things are in the works right now.