Reprint from the Progress Times - December 14, 2007
©Progress Times 2007 - All Rights Reserved

Fire claims Alton family home

 

A fire claimed the home and automobiles of another area family last Saturday, December 8. Ricardo and Veronica Rami­rez, of 7409 Western Village, in Alton, lost their home to a 5 a.m. blaze. The oldest daughter received first degree burns to her face and legs, but the rest of the family was able to escape unharmed.

Alton Fire Department spokesman, Elias Saldivar, said the Alton fire marshal attributed the cause of the blaze to a can­dle left burning. The fire burned the wood frame home and vehi­cles beyond repair. All their possessions were also destroyed.

Alton Fire Department and La Joya Schools, where the family’s five children attend school, are coordinating efforts to gather donations of building supplies, furnishings, appli­ances, bedding and clothing to help the family.

Kathie Cedillo, parent liason at Peña Elementary, said some of the items already donated include a sofa, love seat, dining room set, refrigerator, one bed, some clothing and blankets. However, much more is needed, including furnishings, bedding and additional clothing.

The Alton Fire Department has received donations of building materials, but much more is needed to re-build the family’s home. Saldivar said the fire department has volunteers to help with some of the labor, but they are in need of people with knowledge in construction to help them build a modest, three-bedroom, frame home.

"We have received donations of appliances and some fur­nishings. We just need some­place to put them. We really need building supplies." he said.

The family is currently living with a neighbor.

A special account has been set up at First National Bank for those interested in making monetary donations. Checks should be made payable to The Ramirez Family Relief Fund and may be dropped off at any First National Bank branch.

For those who wish to make a donation of supplies or cloth­ing, following is the family information. Father: pant size 36 x 32, shirt size XL, shoe size 9. Mother: pant size 16W, shirt size XL, shoe size 9 1/2. Six-year-old male child: pant size child 6-7, shirt size 8, shoe size 1 1/2. Nine-year-old female child: pant size 10-12, shirt size 10, shoe size 3. 12-year-old female: pant size 5-6 Jr., shirt size L-Jr., shoe size 7 1/2. 14-year-old female: pant size 5-6 Jr., shirt size M-Jr., shoe size 7. 16-year-old female: Pant size 7 Jr., shirt size L-Jr., shoe size 8. 

For more information, call Kathie Cedillo, at Peña Ele­mentary, 580-5401 or Manny Peña, teacher at Peña Elemen­tary, 239-0388.