The Ramones family lost photos, heirlooms and decades of family history after their west-side home went up in flames on Saturday. Here’s how you can help.
SAN ANTONIO — A west-side home that had been in one San Antonio family for generations was reduced to ash and debris early Saturday morning, leaving behind a charred footprint where irreplaceable memories once stood.
The fire broke out just before 1 a.m. in the garage of the home located near the heart of San Antonio’s west side.
San Antonio firefighters responded quickly and were able to contain the flames before they spread to nearby properties. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
But for the Ramones’ family, the damage runs much deeper than the scorched walls.
“This house was actually bought by my grandfather,” said Yvonne Ramones Chavez. “I’m 46-years-old, so when I moved into this house, I was actually a newborn.”
Photos, heirlooms and decades of family history were lost in the blaze. Chavez recounted childhood memories of playing tag with cousins around a now-vanished tree and swinging in the front yard.
“When I was a kid, there was a big tree right here. Me and my cousins used to play tag around it. We had a swing on it,” she said.
Chavez believes the fire started due to an electrical overload involving extension cords in the garage. Her aunt and uncle, who were home at the time, were awakened by the smell of smoke. They were able to get out safely, along with Chavez’s young nephews.
“He went back into the garage, saw a big blaze of flame,” Chavez said. “Screamed at her, ‘There’s a fire!’ She leapt up and grabbed my nephews.”
The home, unfortunately, was uninsured.
“Nobody was hurt. They’re all okay, but in a sense, this house is not okay,” Chavez said. “It’s another entity. It’s another part of us.”
The family has already started the cleanup process and is determined to rebuild. Chavez’s cousin is next in line to live in the house once it’s restored.
“The smoke was nauseating, but they dug through and they persevered,” Chavez said. “We just need a little bit more for materials to get us where we need to be.”
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help the Ramones family with rebuilding costs.