Only a few days after Christmas, one Bothell family found themselves without a home after a fire ripped through their rented residence at the 2900 block of 228th Street SE.

“I pulled in right as she got all the kids out; the front door was open with flames coming out of the front door,” said Kevin Hackney, renter of the home and father of the family. “[The kids] were in pajama mode so I just got them into our van and put the heater on to keep them warm.”

According to Kevin, Lois, his wife, noticed a fire coming from the kitchen, but was more concerned with getting the kids out of the house. As per a Bothell Fire Department press release, the cause of the incident was determined to be an accidental electrical fire with damages estimated at approximately $200,000.

The entire family managed to make it out unharmed, including both parents and the four children, ages 2 1/2, 4, 6 and 10. Lois Hackney, mother, and 10-year-old daughter Mona were rushed to the hospital as a precaution for smoke inhalation. They were released later that night.

However, everything within the home was destroyed either by fire or smoke damage, including some very costly equipment for Mona’s disability.

“My oldest daughter has Retts Syndrome,” Kevin said. “Her wheelchair was the most important thing that was lost. She is fully dependent.”

Retts syndrome is a neurological disorder that affects only female children and can lead to the loss of cognitive and motor functions as a child grows.

Mona’s wheelchair, her only means of mobility, cost around $11,000 to purchase and another approximate $10,000 to upgrade for Mona’s specific needs, making the total cost of the chair approximately $21,000. The family was working on upgrading the chair even further in order to allow Mona to speak with those around her via an onboard computer.

A cost that is hard to replace given how much they’ve already lost.

“I was surprised, shocked… Everyone was safe and, of course, that’s the most important thing,” said Dianna Galante, founder of Whole Earth Montessori located next door to the burned house. “I expect that the community will step up to help the family; this is Bothell – we’re nice [and] we help each other.”

The community support has already started to come in. The Bothell/Woodinville Firefighter’s Benevolence Fund was used to put the family up in a hotel room at the Hilton Suites.

“It was a life saver,” Kevin said. “I didn’t know that the [Benevolence Fund] existed so I’m very grateful it was there.”

According to Kevin Hackney, Hilton Suites gave them complementary room service on Tuesday morning and the Snohomish Chapter of the Red Cross has also paid for a few nights at the same hotel, along with helping them with money for clothing and food necessities, and helping connect them to new places to live.

However, that still won’t bring back Mona’s wheelchair.

“Mona is very intelligent and can tell what’s going on, but can’t do anything for herself,” Kevin said. “She’s 60 pounds and the way we get her around is her wheelchair.”

While there is currently no fundraiser to help replace the lost chair, Lois Hackney’s sister, Mary Swann of Nome, Ak, started a fundraiser on GoFundMe to help cover the costs of restarting family life after the blaze.

As of the time this article was written, 21 people had donated $1,800 toward the $10,000 goal.

“[I] will be doing my best to help out via the Bothell Community page as well,” said Michelle Dunphy of Bothell in her donation note on the GoFundMe page.

“Our thoughts and prayers go along with this donation to you – from one Rett Family to another,” said another note from Bonnie Keck’s $50 donation.

“Prayers are also being sent for you and your family,” said Desirae Cook’s along with her $100 donation. “I love you all and I’m so glad you are safe.”

Support has also come from the Bothell Community page on Facebook, where a list of needed things is already being gathered. Including items such as a jogging stroller to temporarily replace the wheelchair, boys and girls clothing and cold weather coats, shoes for Kevin and more. Bothell resident Suzy Mac is coordinating a food-train for the family as they are without an oven and other food making basics.

While the most important part is the family’s safety, it will take an army of community supporters to help this family get back on their feet. If you would like to donate clothing, the sizes of the kids are: 2-1/2-year-old girl (size 3Tish)4-year-old girl (size 5ish clothing, 13 shoes)6-year-old boy (size medium, 7 pants)10-year-old girl (no size information)

For more information on how to donate locally, please request membership to the closed Facebook group called Bothell Community, https://www.facebook.com/groups/bothellcommunity/.

If you would like to donate money, please visit the GoFundMe page at http://www.gofundme.com/jgv6aw