How a Berkeley grandma, 84, saved family members from fire
She pushed through burning flames to rouse her daughter and son-in-law. BFD rescued another daughter, who was bedridden, but she later died.
Eighty-four-year-old Lovie McNeal woke up Monday in the early morning hours to find her bedroom on fire.
Despite her age and fragility, she managed to escape from her room and wake her daughter and son-in-law. The three fled their longtime home in the 1000 block of Cedar Street in northwest Berkeley.
One of McNeal's other daughters, 61-year-old Gwen, who was bedridden, did not escape.
BFD arrived quickly and was able to pull her out but she later died at Highland Hospital. A dog, Nico, also perished.
Scroll down for GoFundMe details.
The McNeal family, who has lived in the house since 1974 when they moved from Arkansas, is reeling from the tragedy.
"I'm in shock," said Tequilla Warner, 34, Gwen's only daughter. "It seems unreal. I keep waking up hoping I am in a dream."
Lovie McNeal was critically injured in the fire and is now at the burn center at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, Warner said.
Left: Tequilla Warner and Lovie McNeal. Right: Gwen McNeal. Courtesy
Warner has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for her mother's funeral expenses, burial and the costs of traveling to the hospital in Santa Clara. No one in the family has a car, she said. The goal is $15,000.
"My mother was a very strong single parent, and I am her only daughter," Warner wrote on the GoFundMe page. "My son and I are very devastated, and anything will be greatly appreciated at this very hard time."
Warner said she believes a portable heater caught fire in her grandmother's bedroom.
The Berkeley Fire Department said the damage was limited to one room of the house, but that smoke damage was extensive throughout the structure.
The fire was accidental but the cause has not been officially determined, said Dafina Dailey, a Berkeley Fire spokeswoman. The cost of repair has been estimated at $100,000, she wrote in an email.
There was no visible damage to Gwen's room, said Warner.
Lovie McNeal and her husband raised four daughters in that house, said Warner. They all went to Berkeley High.
Joshua Phillips is now 15. He stayed in the Cedar Street house often. Courtesy
Warner grew up in the house too but moved out 15 years ago.
Warner got pregnant at 18 and was nervous to tell her mother. She asked her to step outside — so she could get some distance if her mom got angry, she said.
But Gwen was delighted at the news.
"She said, 'I'm going to be a grandma, I'm going to be a grandma,'" said Warner. "She loved my son so much. That was her world, besides me."
Joshua Phillips is now 15. His grandmother was very involved in his life and would often take him to and from school. He stayed in the Cedar Street house often.
Gwen worked as an accountant for many years. Two years ago she had emergency gallbladder surgery that left her unable to walk, said Warner, who has worked as her mother's caregiver since then.
Despite her limited mobility, Gwen still enjoyed life.
Warner and her mother outside Yoshi's (left) and on the couch. Courtesy
In October, Warner surprised her mother by buying tickets to hear Freddie Jackson at Yoshi's in Oakland. He was one of Gwen's favorite R&B singers.
Warner's aunt and uncle both escaped the fire thanks to Lovie's quick thinking.
They were treated at Highland Hospital but have since been released. They are staying in a hotel for now.
The family has insurance for the Cedar Street property but learned it may take a year to repair.
While grappling with her mother's death, Warner is still amazed by her grandmother's strength.
"She saved lives," said Warner. "My grandma got up and out of her bed. She's 84. She got through the burning flames. She busted into my aunt and uncle's room, where she collapsed. She literally saved them."
Services for Gwendolyn McNeal are pending.
Frances Dinkelspiel is an award-winning journalist and author of two best-selling books, Tangled Vines and Towers of Gold.
