‘It’s a great loss’: Family of four killed, the house fire is now being investigated as a homicide

SAN ANTONIO — A fatal fire has turned into a homicide investigation, according to SAPD. Last Friday, San Antonio firefighters responded to a house fire in the 4400 block of Wrangler Run on the far southeast-side.

Fire officials said they recovered four bodies from the home. According to neighbors, a family of four lived at the residence, but many were shocked to learn the victims were inside. Several neighbors told KENS 5 the family was planning to go to El Paso on Wednesday to visit a sick relative.

Next to the pile of burned debris, a memorial is growing.

On Monday, several friends and teachers gathered in grief.

“It’s a great loss,” said East Central ISD teacher Elaine Juarez, who taught one of the victims.

The Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office and SAPD have not confirmed the victims’ identities, so KENS 5 is not naming the family at this time.

However, a spokesperson for ECISD released the following statement.

“Please be assured that East Central ISD is actively supporting students, staff, and the community during this time of mourning. Even though we are currently on Spring Break and classes are not in session, our EC Cares program, which includes services from Student Services, Community in Schools, and Counseling Services, is offering the necessary support and counseling to friends, students, and any families impacted by this horrendous incident. These departments are committed to ensuring that everyone who needs help during this period can access it.”

“I just — my heart hurts,” said a family friend who wished not to be identified.

From the ashes, teachers found a sheet of Monopoly instructions that was burned into the shape of a heart. Two women said it was symbolic of how loving their friend was.

“She was just an amazing mom,” said one woman. “She was all about her kids.”

“She was a really good mom, a good friend,” said another woman. “I know she was a good wife too.”

The two friends told KENS 5 they were shocked by the fire, but not surprised by the direction of the investigation.

“Only God knows why things happened the way they did,” a woman said. “The only thing I thank God for is she is with her kids; they were everything to her.”

Juarez says the oldest child previously took her criminal justice pathway course. According to Juarez, the 19-year-old was an honor student who recently enrolled at a local college with hopes of becoming a police officer.

“On our competitions out of town we got close,” Juarez said through tears. “We bonded. Her fellow students that would practice with her every week miss her very much. She was just a great person to everybody.”

Betty Vasquez works at the ECISD middle school where the youngest child attended. She says she also knew his sister.

“I worked with her,” said Vasquez, “and man, she was a joy to work with! She was one of my best safety monitors there.”

A woman also told us her son was friends with the 13-year-old boy. She described the seventh-grader as ‘shy’ and ‘incredibly sweet.’

“My son is just trying to comprehend [what happened],” she said. “All these kids are going to have a hard time grieving. It’s hard for kids to understand. I’m an adult and I don’t even understand.”

Police have not released anything about a possible suspect. The Medical Examiner has not said what caused the victims’ deaths.

We are expecting to learn more in the coming days.