Victims of San Rafael apartment complex fire ‘lost everything’

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (KRON) — Fundraisers are asking for donations to help victims who survived the August 21 San Rafael Canal Street apartment complex fire. Dozens of residents who escaped from the fire-ravaged 19-unit complex lost everything they own, firefighters and the victims’ loved ones said.

Investigators declared 516 Canal Street as a crime scene, and deemed the fire as “suspicious.” Several victims suffered burns, and two women were found deceased in charred rubble, officials said.

One of the bodies was identified on Monday as a 68-year-old woman, Tracey Lee Lowmiller, the Marin County Sheriff’s Office said.

A neighbor told KRON4 that he heard screams coming from the three-story building. “Lots of screaming. The whole canal was glowing. People were telling people to jump,” the neighbor said.

San Rafael Fire Chief Robert Sinnott said, “Residents were trapped. They were jumping from the back of the apartment complex into the San Rafael Creek.” Victims were forced to jump from upper-floor windows and balconies.

A verified GoFundMe page was created for Evelin, who lived at 516 Canal Street with her family.

“Evelin is a very sweet person. She has always worked very hard at a young age and since she came to this country. Unfortunately, on Thursday, August 21 at 5:30 am, a fire started. The entire building was engulfed in flames. The fire spread fast and Evelin and her family lost everything. Please help her raise enough money to find a new home,” page creator Mia Olivares wrote.

Another GoFundMe page states that a fire victim still showed up for her job, even after the deadly fire. “Our dear Tania — who has cared for so many of our children with love, respect, and dedication — lost her home and all of her belongings in this devastating fire. Even in the midst of this loss, Tania came to work that very day, bringing her usual joy and commitment to our little ones. That speaks volumes about her heart and strength,” page creator Elaine Mak wrote. “Miraculously, she is physically safe, but she is now left to rebuild everything from scratch. ”

A third victim, Antonio, also “lost everything he owned in the blaze,” according to a verified GoFundMe page.

“Antonio is more than just a friend — he is family to us. He has always been a kind, genuine, and selfless person, loved by everyone in the community,” page creator Rose Dalager wrote.

Fifty-five residents were displaced, the San Rafael Fire Department said.

In addition to GoFundMe, the Canal Alliance and Marin Community Foundation are also collecting monetary donations for fire victims.

“The origin of the fire remains under active investigation … with the cause of the fire undetermined currently,” MCSO wrote.

The San Rafael Police Department is asking witnesses with photos or video of the fire to call police at 415-485-3000. Investigators are specifically interested in images of the building taken between 5-5:30 a.m. on Aug. 21.

Cadaver dogs found one of the bodies toward the back of the complex. The second body was found further inside the building.

Investigators are still trying to identify the second victim. “Due to the extensive physiological injuries noted upon both of the victims’ bodies, identification of the deceased remains unconfirmed at this time,” the Marin County Sheriff’s Office wrote.