Fire Destroys San Angelo Family's Home

A family of 8 is struggling to put the pieces back together after a fire destroyed their home Tuesday. Nicole Sanchez went to the 800 Block of Rust Street and walked through the ashes and debris of a home that once was.

"I don't know the feeling, but it's a feeling that I don't want anybody to have," victim of Tuesday's fire, Joe Hernandez says.

An astounding feeling that Hernandez along with his wife, Margarita Martinez is reacting to a day after Tuesday afternoon's fire at the home that they had been renting for 2 years.

"This happened so fast, we were barely coming home from work and I told them that I had gone to my Mom's to work on a storage building that I had over there. By the time My Mom got back and my Wife got back it just happened so quick that barely left the house," Hernandez says.

Fire Investigator Karla Steppe says that the cause of the fire is accidental. The home is left with 50% in structure damage. And this Family of 8 had no renters insurance on their place, leaving the parents and the children from 4-16 years old without their belongings.

"Mostly the basics, clothes, shoes, furniture we'll get when we find out where we are going to go. We'll have to start all over," Martinez says.

Although the Hernandez's family's home is now gone, they don't see this loss as a ending but as a new beginning.

"I'm just glad the family is fine, nothing happened to them or us all this we don't need. God will help us," Hernandez says.
 
If you would like to help the family, there is an account set up at San Angelo National Bank under the name of Jose Hernandez, or you can also phone 763-5640 or 657-0692.