Lummi Nation couple barely escaped a house fire. Their community is extending a hand
Friends, family and community members are lifting up two well-known tribal elders who lost their Lummi Shore home in a fire this week.
A GoFundMe page had raised $30,000 through Friday morning to help Willie Lane and Aline Soundy replace clothing and other items lost when flames destroyed their home, Jeep and surrounding buildings early Tuesday morning.
Willie and Aline awoke to the roar of blaze at 2:30 a.m, quickly dressed, then scooped up their dog and a box of seven kittens, their niece Temryss Lane told The Bellingham Herald.
“They had to run through the flames,” Temryss told The Herald.
Both Willie and Aline suffered second-degree burns on their arms and back and they are recovering at a relative’s home, Temryss said in a phone call. The kittens’ mother died in the fire.
The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental, traced to a heat lamp that ignited clothing, a Whatcom County fire marshal told The Herald.
“Lifetimes of memories, cultural treasures, their car, tools, clothes and their livelihoods went up in flames,” Temryss wrote at the GoFundMe page.
Aline, 67, is a home care provider, and Willie, 62, is a fisherman well-known for his smoked salmon and his work with the Lummi Care Program, Temryss said. He’s known to many outside the Indigenous community for his traditionally prepared salmon at the annual Seafeast celebration in Bellingham.
“If you know Aline and Willie, you know they are in service to the community, exponentially generous, kind and loving, dedicated to helping people heal on their paths to wellness,” Temryss wrote.
A music lover, Willie built a stage next to his house and hosted community gatherings, including popular Independence Day parties with music and salmon, Temryss said.
“It’s a beautiful offering to his brothers and sisters in our whole community,” Temryss said. “Though they feel tremendous grief, they are also overwhelmed with gratitude for the community and their unconditional love.”
This story was originally published March 21, 2024 at 6:00 PM.
