Local family loses house, belongings, pets in fire

The Clifford family experienced a tragic loss with the destruction of their home to fire Monday. In the editorial below, Councilman Will Dunn offers not only his condolences, but an opportunity for Maricopa to step up and help one of their own at a time when they are most in need:

It is with much sadness that I have to report that our good friends Belinda, Madge and Mark Clifford who run Maricopa’s Equine Eden Horse Rescue lost their home to fire yesterday afternoon east of town in Saddleback Farms.

Mark was slightly burned as he tried to save the manufactured home with a garden hose but his valiant efforts were to no avail as the fire forced him out. He is fine with only minor burns. They did lose their two dogs and one cat in the fire but all of the horses are fine. They only have the clothes that they were wearing, they lost everything else.

We are collecting donations for them at the Stage Stop Country Store at 19536 N. John Wayne Parkway (just north of the railroad tracks in
downtown Maricopa). They are staying at their neighbor’s home.

If anyone has clothes, toiletries, blankets, etc. please bring them to Stage Stop and we will get them to them immediately. Their clothes sizes are:

Mark:

Shirt, XXXL Tall
Pants, 38×36
Shoes, 13 Medium

He usually wears t-shirts, jeans, tennis shoes or boots, jacket.

Belinda:

Shirt, XXX or size 26
Pants, women’s size 26, length 34
Shoes, 10 medium

She usually wears, tennis shoes, riding boots, t-shirts, jeans, jacket

Madge:

Shirt, XX or size 20
Pants, 18 to 20 or XX large
Shoes, 9 – 9 1/2

She usually wears, t-shirts or button up blouses, drawstring pants, canvas casual shoes.

The computers, printers, etc. they used for the Horse Rescue were all lost, so any help as well as monetary gifts will be greatly appreciated. If you have any questions, please call me at 568-2424.

Please pray for this family who are truly a blessing to Maricopa.

Thank you,

Will Dunn

Please note: an account at Sunstate Bank has been set up to assist the family as well so please stop by and make a donation in any amount.