Donations from all over the nation flood Fresno family after fire destroys house

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- After a devastating fire destroyed everything in their apartment a Fresno family of four is getting back on their feet-- thanks to the kindness of strangers.

It was the first day of school for Roseanna Montoya and her kids. Also the first time she ever drove them home.

"I passed my drivers test. I was blessed with a car, it was my first time ever picking up my kids."

But by the end of Monday, the family's newest possession also became their sole belonging. A fire tore through Montoya's apartment that afternoon. She and her kids were briefly trapped by a locked gate while everything burned-- but their lives were saved.

"It's still traumatizing for my daughter, but I'm trying to keep it together," said Montoya.

Telling the story days later causes her to get emotional, but it's not the lost belongings causing her to choke up-- it's the generosity of strangers after her pastor posted her story online.

"I'm a single mom on a single income, and I'm a full-time student. I didn't know how I was going to buy my clothes, shoes," said Montoya.

Donations started flooding in. Her kids now have binders and pencils. Clothes and furniture are also coming in from across the country,

"There's still good people out there, and no matter what happens in life, you just have to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and keep going," said Montoya.

Montoya said she had always wanted to move to a safer neighborhood. Luckily, the fire left her with her car.

"He created that loss so you could drive away from it and never look back on this area," said Montoya.

The family is still looking for clothes as well as hygiene products. The owner of Timeless Beauty Salon has opened her shop up as a donation center-- they are located on north Van Ness.