Reprint from the Progress Times - April 18, 2008
©Progress Times 2008 - All Rights Reserved

Fire destroys Mission home

 

A Mission family awakened Tuesday morning to the sounds of fire crackling as an early morning blaze destroyed their wood-frame home at 313 Erdahl.

Horacio and Elida Garza were just barely able to escape the fire with their five-year-old granddaughter, and had no time to save any of their belongings.

A small apartment attached to the home was also destroyed. The Garza’s daughter, Marlen, was living there with her husband and 12-month-old daughter.

"[We] didn’t even have time to get the keys to move the car. I just got my wife and daughter and told her just run," said Marlen’s husband, Juan Garcia.

Asked what the family lost in the fire, he responded, "Our clothes, everything. Everything is gone" as he stood in front of the burned-out shell of a home and two older cars completely destroyed by the blaze.

"Watching it burn—it didn’t feel good. You just see everything go in just a couple of minutes. It’s tough. But hopefully we’ll bounce back and…start all over," he said.

City of Mission Public Relations Director Aida Lerma has put out an appeal for assistance to help the family. She said the Garza family "lost their entire belongings in a house fire and were left with nothing. Having just experienced this with my sister three months ago, my heart goes out to this family. The Garzas need our help."

Horacio Garza was disabled in an auto accident 15 years ago, said Mabely Hernandez, another daughter. He also had surgery recently and is on crutches. His wife, Elida, is unable to work due to health reasons.

The city has assisted the family in contacting the Food Pantry and the Red Cross but since the family lost everything in the fire, a wide assortment of household items will need to be replaced. The Garzas are staying temporarily with family members in Mission until more permanent housing can be arranged. Their home was uninsured.

"They will not need furniture at the moment as they are staying with family and won’t be able to rebuild their home anytime soon but they do need clothing and hygiene items and even cash," Lerma said. "If you can spare as little as $10, it helps immediately. Gift cards are welcomed—Wal-Mart, Target, K-Mart. Nearly-new clothing is acceptable." Old, worn-out clothing should not be donated.

Needed clothing items include men’s pants, waist size 38; shirt size XL; and men’s shoe size 8 1/2. Women’s clothing sizes needed are pants, XL; blouse, XL; and shoe size 7. Children’s clothing sizes needed for the five-year-old granddaughter are size five for clothing and child’s size 11 shoes.

Donations, including money, can be dropped off at Mission City Hall, 1201 E. 8th Street. Checks should be made out to Mission Helping Hands, with the notation "Horacio and Elida Garza." If mailing a check, address the envelope to the attention of Aida Lerma, at the above city hall address.

For more information, call 580-8662.