SPOKANE, Wash. — In a heart-stopping incident at the intersection of Francis and Wall in North Spokane, a mother's quick thinking and bravery saved her young daughter from a potentially tragic fate.
Zowie Melin's routine drive turned into a nightmare when her car suddenly burst into flames, forcing her to make a split-second decision that would save her three-year-old child's life.
"I was just scared I was going to lose my daughter," Melin said.
Without hesitation, she climbed through the driver's side of the car to reach her daughter in the backseat.
"All you really think about is that your child is OK," Melin explained. "Just trying to get to her as fast as I could is all I could think about."
A situation that both Melin and her daughter remember vividly. "It was really hard for both of us to watch our car go up in flames," Melin shared.
Despite the shock and fear, Melin expressed gratitude for her ability to act swiftly. "You know, I just thank God I was able to get to her fast enough and everything was ok."
While Melin and her daughter escaped unharmed, the same cannot be said for their car, which was destroyed in the fire.
The loss of their car has presented significant challenges for the family, forcing Melin to adapt to life without personal transportation.
"You know – getting rides, the bus – I have a family member who is letting me borrow their car for a little bit, but you know you gotta do what you gotta do," Melin said, describing her efforts to maintain normalcy.
Melin started a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for a new car before the harsh winter weather sets in. Melin says the community's response has been overwhelming, with more than half of the goal raised in just one week.
As the holiday season approaches, Melin is focusing on creating positive memories for her daughter after their traumatic experience.
"Especially with what she just went through, I want to make sure she has a really good Christmas this year," the devoted mother stated.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of how quickly everyday situations can turn dangerous, especially when it comes to car safety.
As Melin and her daughter recover from this, their story stands as a testament to the power of a mother's love and the strength of community in times of need.