The large blaze started inside the 100-year-old home north of downtown on February 4 and severely damaged another home next door.
SAN ANTONIO — A week ago, a fire forced a family out of their home and they were left with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
It happened off E Huisache on February 4 around 9 p.m. The large blaze started inside the 100-year-old home and severely damaged another home next door.
However, the community is doing what it can to help.
Todd Martens and his mother were asleep inside the home where the fire started. He said they both woke up to the smell of smoke.
“I heard my mom screaming,” Martens said.
Martens managed to get his mother outside. He ran back inside to find his dog and attempted to grab essential items. However, he said the smoke was so thick, he could not see a thing.
“I tried to save our little dog, couldn’t find her anywhere,” Martens said.
Martens watched from outside as flames consumed all his belongings. His husband, Lee Marshall, was at work but rushed to the scene as soon as he got a phone call.
“I could see the fire coming from downtown,” Marshall said. “I know it was going to be bad if I could see it from that distance.”
The three of them had been renting the home for 2 and half years. They said they had several irreplaceable items and keepsakes.
The fire then spread to the home next door. The family inside was able to get out safely. Everyone was OK.
“The thing that rings so so loudly over and over in my head was the first night sitting in our hotel room, looking at my mother-in-law and my husband and realizing we could be sitting there missing one of the three or it could be just one of us sitting there or none of us,” Marshall said.
Marshall and Martens said during moments of panic, disbelief and confusion, the Red Cross was there to help.
“They provided us with everything we needed that night and they even brought extra volunteers to assist the family next door as well,” Martens said.
From there, the community stepped in. More than $16,000 has been raised on this GoFundMe.
“It’s made all the difference in the world,” Marshall said. “I grew up here and I’ve never seen a community so many people come together to aid when they don’t even know us.”
While it is hard for them to see their home in ashes, they said in a way, this experience has taught them how selfless the community can be.
“I know we’re going to make it through this,” Marshall said. “We definitely wouldn’t have made it this far without the community.”
The couple said the cause of the fire is still under investigation.