A firefighter from Arlington County, Virginia, is expressing deep gratitude for the outpouring of community support after a fire destroyed his family’s home in Montgomery County, Maryland, last Friday.
Captain David Zuniga, who resides in Gaithersburg, has received more than $42,000 in donations through a GoFundMe campaign launched by his fire department. “I’m incredibly thankful,” Zuniga said, noting that the financial support has lifted a significant burden.
Zuniga recalled that the fire was first spotted by his daughter, who woke him up after seeing flames at a neighbor’s house. As he rushed downstairs to assess the situation, he was met with an unexpectedly intense blaze. Surveillance footage captured his wife descending the stairs as smoke filled their home.
Zuniga, his wife, their daughter, and their son with special needs were able to evacuate safely. While his daughter called 911, Zuniga attempted to slow the spread of the fire by soaking nearby siding with a garden hose. He was later seen alerting his neighbors, urging them to get their children to safety.
The fire, which quickly spread to his daughter’s bedroom, also threatened the neighboring children’s room, separated only by a wall. Zuniga considered breaking in to rescue them but was relieved to see them begin evacuating just in time.
Montgomery County firefighters extinguished the blaze quickly, but not before Zuniga’s home was nearly destroyed. Among the losses were irreplaceable family items—children’s artwork, photos, and keepsakes from his daughter’s quinceañera. His son also lost crucial items that are part of his daily routine, compounding the challenges the family now faces.
“This was different,” said Zuniga, who has battled many fires in his career. “I’ve never been scared of fire—until my family was in danger. That fear was real.”
The donations are helping the family slowly rebuild, providing essentials like school supplies and clothing. “It gives us a chance to start again,” Zuniga said, emotionally recalling how his child had to begin the school year without basic items.
He also emphasized the broader impact of the fire. “Many families were displaced and lost everything. It wasn’t just us—it affected our entire community.”
