Rendered homeless by fire, US-based Pinoy couple rediscover the kindness of strangers

An Illinois-based Filipino family is rediscovering the kindness of strangers after a fire triggered by a car crash destroyed their home last week and left them practically with nothing.

The online fundraiser created by the relatives of Eric and Lieka Racho on the website youcaring.com has raised $20,687 as of October 31, exceeding the original goal of $5,000 by more than four times.

The organizers reported that the owner of a local restaurant pledged to donate 10 percent of its total sales for one day to the family. A waitress who works at the restaurant said she is giving all of her tips for the day to the couple and their three children.

The couple lost their townhouse in Hainesville, Illinois on October 25 when a car driven by a man believed to be driving under the influence slammed into a row of residential townhomes in the wee hours of the morning.

According to the Daily Herald, leaking natural gas ignited the vehicle and eventually started the blaze that left the Rachos homeless and rendered another residential unit uninhabitable.

Information on yousharing.com said Lieka and her three children did not have a chance to secure their valuables as they rushed to escape their burning house. Eric was at work at the time and was thus unable to help his family flee their home.

"Lieka and the kids barely made it out of the house with just the pajamas they were wearing, and the family doesn't have insurance to cover their personal belongings," yousharing.com said.

NBC Chicago reported that the wayward car's driver, Adam Bileck, has been charged with two felony counts of driving under the influence and one misdemeanor count of leaving the scene of the crash. He is being held on a $350,000 bond. — Xianne Arcangel/KBK, GMA News