STERLING, Va. — The community is coming together once again to help raise money for a victim after a deadly house explosion in Sterling on Friday.
Now, money is being raised for Maria Pia Apolonio, who goes by "Pia," the second resident of the home.
According to a GoFundMe, Pia was staying in the basement of the home at the time of the explosion. On Friday, she was frantically woken up by the homeowner and firefighters who urged her to get out of the home. Fortunately, Pia made it out moments before the home exploded.
"I remember getting into my car. Before I could close my door, the house exploded," Pia said.
Pia moved from the Philippines to D.C. back in 2017 with only two suitcases in tow. Lauren Opauiski, the one organizing Pia's GoFundMe, said, "Between the years of 2017 and 2024, Pia built a new life for herself. She established herself in a thriving career, made a new friend group, and proudly became a U.S. citizen."
Opauiski said since Pia was only staying in the basement, she has no renters insurance to help her start over, so every donation counts.
Anyone who wishes to donate to Pia's GoFundMe can do so here.
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