The Rio Bravo fire chief is answering questions over why the city's new fire truck was not used to respond to a house fire yesterday afternoon.
In an interview with Pro 8 News the fire chief says he doesn't feel responsible for the incident that left a woman and her eight children homeless.
"This is what’s left of the home that once stood still here. Now the Rio Bravo fire department is looking into what caused this fire."
"La apagadora vino cuando ya habian apagado y eso la de El Cenizo y las de Laredo. Porque de aqui no hubo nada."
This Rio Bravo resident says their fire department never showed up to the fire.
According to witnesses...the fire started around 2pm.
An hour later, El Cenzio and Laredo Fire Departments showed up.
That left Rio Bravo residents asking about their fire department.
But according to the Rio Bravo fire chief, Javier Estrada, the city has been without an active department since March, relying on the Laredo Fire Department for assistance.
" The procedure calls from mayor to mayor or from fire chief to fire chief requesting assistance in which ever way needed."
But people were complaining about this… a brand new fire truck received just last week...but nowhere to be seen.
" Dicen que esa apagadora se va a estrenar hasta el ultimo dia del ano."
According to fire chief Estrada...he doesn't have anyone trained to use the truck and won't until January first.
That’s when a new contract between his department and the city of Rio Bravo goes into effect.
So he called the Laredo Fire Department chief for help.
" He said they don't have any personnel available to respond into their city. So I send units to assist."
But residents in Rio Bravo are concerned for their safety.
" Aqui en Rio Bravo no hay ninguna ambulancia una apagadora para la gente de emergencia que necesite uno."
She says here in Rio Bravo there's no ambulance, no fire truck if someone has an emergency.
The chief says Rio Bravo residents will be able to see an active fire department by January first.
He says by then there should be four trained EMS firefighters to respond 24-7 in Rio Bravo.