Family escapes house fire, Tesla charging station suspected, firefighters say
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SANFORD, Florida (WESH) — A Sanford family narrowly escaped their burning home early Tuesday morning, with the fire department investigating the Tesla charging station in the garage as a possible cause.
The Raky family’s home is destroyed, with the garage completely gutted and Mina’s prized Tesla burned beyond recognition.
“Just the trauma, we are all traumatized at this point,” Mina Raky said.
Mina said the fire started around 5 a.m. in his Sanford home. He heard popping and crackling, walked into his garage, and saw the bottom of his Tesla, which was charging at the time, smoking.
“I saw black smoke coming out, black smoke coming out from everywhere,” he said.
He raced to get his wife and four children out of the house.
His oldest daughter, Lily, was trying to do the same, but almost didn’t make it while searching for her brother.
“After I walk into his room, that is where I lose all sight, I can’t feel my body anymore,” Lily Raky said.
Lily said she doesn’t know how she did it, but she jumped out of the second-story window, landed on the roof of the screen porch, and made it to the ground safely. The rest of the family made it out safely as well.
Lily was taken to the hospital. After the smoke cleared, she was able to save some simple things, like cards and words of kindness from friends and loved ones.
Lily also rescued a little statue of Jesus, but as she sees it, he rescued her.
A Sanford police officer went back in to get their dog, Leo, who is still being treated at the vet.
Mina said he’s haunted by the look on Leo’s face.
“I saw him crying the last time,” Mina said. “I’m glad he’s out; then there’s hope.”
A report from the Sanford Fire Department provided to WESH 2 by the Raky family said in part, “The origin of the fire was found to be at or around the Tesla charging station in the garage.”
WESH 2 has reached out to Tesla to see if they have been made aware of the fire, and have not heard back yet.
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