The Duke Fire leveled at least 17 structures, including nine homes in Atascosa County on Tuesday.
ATASCOSA COUNTY, Texas — Jessica Guerra came home to nothing but a smoldering pile of debris filled with memories and her partner attempting to extinguish the remaining embers.
“It’s like something ripped out of your heart for building for so many years with your loved ones and your family and pictures and photos and everything memories it’s gone,” Guerra said.
Guerra and family live along Big Leaf Road in unincorporated Atascosa County where flames destroyed at least nine homes on Tuesday.
What’s being called the “Duke Fire” had a presence in Bexar County as well. Through the afternoon and evening hours, crews from both counties assisted each other in trying to contain the fire.
Strong winds set the stage for hours of challenging fire fighting conditions in the impacted areas as residents like Guerra tried to grapple with the dark reality.
Guerra’s partner of 24 years, Jerry Brown, recalled doing everything he could to take out the fire alongside family and friends.
“I just tried, I tried to get that fire down I couldn’t. I just let the pets go just try to get them safe,” Brown said. “It is hard especially when you have all your loved ones stuff in there especially your kids. It hurts mans.”
Several pets went missing amid the chaotic fire, although Guerra was able to reunite with some of her cats, which returned with burned feet.
“Still some missing, good thing I got my dogs out,” Guerra said.
Luis Ramos III was among the dozens of neighbors who banded together with firefighters to help combat the fast-moving blaze.
“Immediately, I got on my dirt bike grabbed a fire extinguisher went down the street and tried to find any small fire,” Ramos said. “If we try to fight this and somehow we get this done with then this whole community is safe.”
As for Guerra, she and loved ones will be staying with family while they begin the road to rebuilding their home.
“Everything is going to be alright. God will help us,” she said.