Fast moving flames quickly engulfed a Sinajana home early Tuesday morning, as an otherwise quiet neighborhood was deep asleep, shocking neighbors.

“I just woke up and I just saw a lot of– the fire department was here. The house was on fire, you know. I’m not sure what happened,” said neighbor Rodney Malaca. 

Sinajana Mayor Robert Hofmann describes a scary moment for one family member who woke up just in time to use the restroom and something told her to open the door.

“When she did, she was hearing scratching noises, not realizing it was crackling noises. She thought it was the puppies wanting to go out. She opened the door and she saw flames. She screamed and went to get everybody who were downstairs and upstairs. Then within a matter of minutes, both upstairs and downstairs were engulfed in flames,” said Hofmann. 

Guam Fire Department units arrived on scene at 2:43 a.m. to the two story concrete home fully engulfed by flames. 

Firefighters battled the blaze for two hours before they were able to get it under control. 

“Gladly nobody was hurt. They were able to escape using a ladder from the second floor with the help of neighbors. They're thankful for the neighbors who called 911 but they lost everything and they lost six dogs,” added Hofmann. 

On Wednesday, the charred home is taped off and belongings remain scattered outside.

The community in shock as the home belongs to the well known Taitano family who ran the former Sinajana Post Office. 

“It’s part of the history of our community. It was one of the last post offices outside in the village areas so everyone has fond memories of the place. To see the whole building go up in flames was a shock to all the neighbors,” said Hofmann. 

That community is now rallying behind them as the Taitano family picks up the pieces and try to rebuild their life, donating clothes and anything else to help. 

“I met them in the morning. I asked for assistance from the Red Cross and my staff came in earlier. We created verifications. They lost their IDs and everything,” the Sinajana Mayor said. 

The Sinajana Mayor’s Office is accepting donations of basic necessities like clothes, shoes and toiletries.

Meantime, Hofmann leaves this message, saying, “It really underscores a few things on fire prevention. One is having an escape plan. Two is have a good, working smoke alarm around and be fire safety cognizant. If people had grills or their shutters were closed, it would have been tragic.”

GFD continues to investigate the cause of the fire.

Here's a info on donations items to assist:

Clothes sizes

Adult:
Male - shorts 36, shirt L
Female - shorts/pants size 3, shirt M
Female - pants size 18 or 20, shirt 2XL or 3XL

Teen Female - shorts Large/ XL, shirt large
Children Female - size 10 shorts, and shirt medium

Shoe sizes

Men size 10
Women size 9 wide
Women size 8
Women size 6
Girls Kids size 2-3