Suzie Thibault, originally from El Sobrante, describes how her family escaped their burning Lahaina home and the devastating Maui fires as they now deal with an immense loss.
"But my husband said that he gave himself to God and he thought we were all going to burn in the car and that he was okay with it because he was happy, that hurt, for him to have to think like that but that was the reality of it," Thibault said as she fought back tears. "I didn't realize, that's how close, that's how close we were. That's how close we were to not making it out.
So many have reached out to Thibault, who was with her daughter when ABC7 News spoke with her Tuesday, and her entire family. She says they lost nearly everything but they are alive and grateful as they stay at a friend's house in Maui. "We are very fortunate to be able to have a bed to sleep on. I don't know how many people are still in their cars."
Thibault tells us that she's not sure what happens next, they're taking it one day at a time, but she just enrolled her 5-year-old in school on the other side of Maui and she starts on Thursday this week. Mental health counselors will be on hand and her daughter tells us, she can't wait to play on the playground.
Thibault says she was the secretary at Murphy Elementary in El Sobrante when she last lived here in the Bay Area. It was actually Bay Area residents who made us aware of her situation. If you'd like to help the family you can go to her
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