The families affected by the large fire in west Laredo yesterday afternoon have returned to sift through the ashes of what was left.
Unfortunately they didn't find much.
But as our Annette Garcia reports, those who lived at the homes say they're just thankful everyone got out safely.
Laura Santana recalls the moment she something explode and went outside to see a fire consuming the house on the corner of Tacuba and Convent Wednesday afternoon.
She didn't imagine the fire would spread so quickly, tearing through rooms of her home too.
The fire started at the home of Santiago Fernandez.
He says he was down the street when he saw the flames and thinking his wife and children were still inside, he rushed to the house, a one block drive that felt like a lifetime.
“My wife, grandchildren and daughter were inside. The neighbors were in their houses, too,” he says.
Fernandez says the fire began possibly because of a malfunctioning boiler.
A total of three houses -- destroyed.
Fernandez is devastated that the tragic fire also affected his neighbors.
Today they all sifted through the ashes of what was left and didn't find much.
The people here lost everything but say with as quick as this fire was able to spread it's a miracle everyone got out ok.
“We are going to try and overcome this,” he says.” The good thing is that my family is alive. That's the most important thing for me.”
But his young grandchildren and his neighbor's six children, as young as 11 months old, now need new clothing, and new shoes: everything.
He says that can be replaced.
Their lives cannot.
Fernandez says some of their friends have dropped off supplies and they are very grateful for everything they have been given so far.
But if you would like to help with any donations of clothing or shoes and other necessities, here are two numbers you can call.
For the Fernandez family, the number is 462-3410.
For the Sosa family, the number is 242-5179.
The families each have young children, from around a year old, to about eight years old.
They say anything you can help them with will be appreciated.