The family says when the fire started a 5 year-old boy hid in one of the back rooms, but they went back inside and found him and were able to bring him out safely.
A San Antonio mother says she feels “beyond blessed” after she, her husband, their six children and two dogs escaped a house fire on the city’s east side Saturday morning.
The fire broke out at the family’s home on Gibbs Street near Walters Street. Video captured by a neighbor shows flames engulfing the house as smoke billowed into the air.
Melony Salinas said the fire started while her husband was working on his car outside. Something sparked a fire that quickly spread to the home, she said.
“He just ran inside and was like, ‘Call the fire department and get all the kids out,’” Salinas said.
The family fled the house with only the clothes they were wearing, some without shoes. Once outside, Salinas realized her 5-year-old son was missing.
“We all went as like one unit and went to go find him because there’s like three rooms in the back and we were all looking for him,” she said. “We finally found him and we got him out.”
Moments later, the family realized their two dogs were still inside. Salinas said her husband ran back into the burning home to rescue them, emerging with a dog in each arm before collapsing from smoke inhalation.
“He just broke through that fire and just fainted, and all that smoke that he got inside of him, I guess it just made him faint,” she said.
Neighbors dragged him to safety. He was taken to a hospital and later released.
“I’m just happy that all my kids made it out, my husband’s OK. Couldn’t ask for anything else,” Salinas said. “Everything else is replaceable.”
Although the family survived without serious injury, nearly all of their belongings were destroyed by fire, smoke and water damage. They are now without a home and in need of basic necessities.
“Clothes for the kids, furniture whenever we get there, wherever we’re going — basically everything. It’s like starting all over again,” Salinas said.
The family has created a GoFundMe page to help rebuild their lives.
Holding back tears, Salinas said the emotional toll has been heavy.
“I really don’t like to — I’m so used to making everybody laugh, so that’s why I was like, sorry, I’m joking a lot,” she said. “It really sucks. Really sucks. Because I feel like it traumatized my kids.”
Despite the devastation, Salinas said her focus remains on gratitude.
“We’ll start over,” she said.
Salinas also says she is thankful for all the love and support she has received from neighbors and strangers, adding it’s been beautiful and there are still good people out there.
If you would like to help the family, you can contact Melony Salinas through her Facebook Page by clicking here.
If you would like to donate to the GoFundMe you can do so by clicking here.