By Jennifer Costa, Red Cross regional communications director
It was February 16, 2024, when Ann Laraia got the worst kind of call. The one that comes in the middle of the night bringing news of tragedy. The caller said Ann’s brother and sister’s shared home was burning, and her siblings – Diana and Gary – were trapped inside. Ann lived nearly nine hours south of her sibling’s home in Northern Maine. All she could do was stay on the video call with the neighbor – and pray.
“The only thing I remember is the fire alarms went off,” said Diana Levesque. “I heard my brother yell, ‘Di. Fire! Fire!’ To me, it didn’t sink in because I was half asleep. I got out of my bedroom, and I was looking for him, but I couldn’t find him because the smoke was so heavy.
“I kept yelling for him, ‘Gary. Gary.’ And he said, ‘Di, get out.’ That’s all I heard. I turned around and, in the room, there was a front door, but it was the wintertime, and everything was frozen. I was able to open the inside door, but the outside door wasn’t working.”
Struggling with the storm door is the last thing Diana remembers from that tragic night. Her sister, Ann, was left to tell the rest of the story. First responders arrived on the scene to find a small two-story house nearly engulfed in flames. A foot of snow was already on the ground. Two Madawaska police officers and a neighbor rushed to help Diana and Gary, frantically chipping away at the ice until the door opened.
“I could see as it was happening,” Ann said, still on the phone with the neighbor. Her sister was unconscious in the doorway. Diana was rushed to a nearby hospital with severe burns.
Tragically, Gary did not make it out. He was 62 years old.
“I live within sight distance from Diana and Gary’s house,” said Brian Bouley, Red Cross Aroostook County community manager. “So that night, I was up and saw the firetrucks. I alerted our Disaster Program Manager.”
By then, Diana had been airlifted to Maine Medical Center, the state’s only Level 1 trauma center. That’s where volunteers Terry Jarvis and Donna Hastings, both members of the Red Cross disaster action team in Southern Maine, connected with Diana’s family.
“They actually came to the hospital to meet with our oldest brother and me to offer any assistance that we may need,” Ann remembered. “Then, they assigned us a case manager, who was an absolute sweetheart. She followed through with multiple phone calls and emails. She sent me a list of all different organizations that could be of assistance as we went through this ordeal.”
Ann’s sister was alive, but Diana’s road to recovery was just beginning. She was on a ventilator for the first month – and remained in the hospital for at least two more months as her lungs, broken leg and severe burns started to heal. Back at home, the fire marshal determined that wood pellet ashes, discarded in the shed attached to the porch, started the fire. Diana’s uninsured home was a complete loss.
“Diana and Gary didn’t have much, but financially it would have been harder without the Red Cross. Every little bit helped,” Ann said. “It was good to have the support there because when Diana did start waking up, we knew that she would need everything. The Red Cross was wonderful in getting us started. They helped us get her glasses, some clothes. We’re extremely thankful.”
While the family celebrated Diana’s progress, they were also mourning the crushing loss of their brother. The Red Cross Integrated Care Condolence Team stepped in. This is a specialized group of trained volunteers who provide emotional support and resources, including financial assistance, following a disaster-related death.
“Gary did not have life insurance,” Ann said. “The Red Cross helped by giving us some money to take care of Gary’s final expenses. Though it wasn’t much, it was a big help to know that somebody was there.
“They were also concerned about our mental health because of what we had gone through – and what Diana was going through. Just having someone from the Red Cross reaching out saying, ‘Just checking in. How’s Diana? How are you doing?’ That was very comforting.”
Ten months after the fire, Diana says she’s doing well. And while her fire-related cough may be permanent, her burns have almost disappeared.
“She is our miracle girl,” her sister said with a smile. “When you are going through something like this, you think for the moment. You don’t look at tomorrow, you’re just thankful for today.”
“It is a miracle,” Diana said. “I’m not going to take the credit for anything. My sister is the one who motivated me to keep on living.”
In October, Diana settled back into a place of her own. It’s not the home where she spent the last 50 years, but it’s a chance at a new beginning. And Brian, the Red Crosser, who initially alerted the team, was on hand to visit.
“It’s nice to be able to come back and sit with someone in our community who’s lived through something like this and know we were able to help,” he said. “It’s full circle for us.”
“People need to know more about the Red Cross – and what is available for them,” Diana responded. “It’s been very helpful. Thank goodness we had the Red Cross.”
Having had time to reflect on their family’s tragedy, Ann concluded, “I’d like people to know how wonderfully supportive, compassionate and empathetic that the Red Cross is. Don’t be afraid to reach out when you are going through disasters and tragedies. You can get help. You just have to ask.”
To help protect your family year-round, test your smoke alarms monthly and practice your home fire escape plan until everyone can escape in less than two minutes — the amount of time you may have to get out of a burning home before it’s too late.
If you cannot afford to purchase smoke alarms or are physically unable to install one, the Red Cross may be able to help. Contact us at 1-800-464-6692 or visit www.redcross.org/EndHomeFiresNNE.
Support all the urgent humanitarian needs of the American Red Cross.
Find a drive and schedule a blood donation appointment today.
Your time and talent can make a real difference in people’s lives. Discover the role that's right for you and join us today!
