Nauta Family Thanks Community After Deadly Fire

A family who lost everything in a house fire wants to thank the community for an overwhelming amount of support and donations.

“We have been surviving on the generosity and kindness of complete and utter strangers,” said Janie Nauta.

Janie’s husband, Joey, died in the fire at their Fountain mobile home last week. The family of four had finished Christmas shopping and decorating their tree, when an electrical outlet overloaded with lights sparked the blaze.

Since then, donations have been pouring in. Sunflower Management, the company that manages the family’s mobile home park, furnished another home for them to stay in, God’s Pantry donated 200 pounds of food, M&M Towing gave the family a car, and donations from the community came in by the truckload.

“Without the community of Colorado, we would be on the street with nothing,” said Janie.

The Fountain Fire Department even raised money for Joey’s funeral.

Janie recounted what happened the morning of the fire, saying the family had escaped through a back door that was fenced in through a locked gate. She said Joey went back for the key.

“I just want everybody to know that my husband gave his life protecting his family,” said Janie. “He went back into that home because he didn’t think we would be able to get out the gate.”

Joey, 5, and Mikayla, 10 said they know their dad is in heaven now. Joey saw something special the day of the funeral.

“He saw an eagle fly by the window and thought it was his daddy,” said Janie.

“And it was him,” Joey added.

The Nautas and their extended family are moving to Washington state next month, but said they’ll never forget the generosity they found here.