Violeta Nieto escaped a mobile home fire in Fallbrook, California, with her 4-day-old daughter after noticing electrical sparks when power was restored following a storm. The trailer, where she had lived for 14 years, was destroyed within minutes and she estimates about $10,000 in personal property was lost; she did not have renters' insurance. Her sister started a GoFundMe that has raised more than $11,000 to help buy baby supplies and essentials. An investigation into the fire's origin is ongoing.
New Mother Flees Mobile Home Fire With 4-Day-Old; Trailer Destroyed, GoFundMe Tops $11K
NBC 7 San Diego/YoutubeVioleta Nieto
A young mother escaped with her newborn after a mobile home fire consumed the trailer where she'd lived for 14 years. The blaze began Dec. 4 in Fallbrook, California, while Violeta Nieto was nursing her 4-day-old daughter, Tahlia.
What Happened
Nieto told local reporters she noticed electrical sparks coming from a drawer shortly after her landlord restored power that had gone out overnight during a storm. Smoke quickly filled the mobile home. "With my sweater, I wrapped her," Nieto said. "All I grabbed was her."
GoFundMeNieto at the hospital with her newborn.
Rapid Loss
Firefighters arrived and focused on preventing the fire from spreading to nearby livestock pens and other buildings, but the trailer itself was destroyed within minutes. Nieto estimates she lost about $10,000 in personal property and said she does not have renters' insurance. Among the items destroyed were a tablet, a phone, the infant’s clothes, hospital paperwork and the newborn’s bag — items she said were of immediate concern, especially for the baby’s exposure to smoke.
“She’s safe, and I get to carry her in my arms,” Nieto told reporters. “It gives me hope everything will get better.”
Aftermath and Assistance
Nieto’s sister, Tania Cisneros, launched a GoFundMe to help the new mother, who is recovering from childbirth and currently unable to work. The fundraiser has raised more than $11,000 to cover baby supplies, formula and other essentials. An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing, and local authorities, including the North County Fire Protection District, were involved in the response.
Despite losing nearly everything, Nieto expressed gratitude that she and her daughter survived and is focused on rebuilding with community support.
