Gilroy – A single-family home is barely standing after a Monday
morning fire that displaced eight people, including two young
girls.
Gilroy – A single-family home is barely standing after a Monday morning fire that displaced eight people, including two young girls.
Firefighters responded to a 7:30am call at 9580 New Avenue, a one-story white stucco home that was already engulfed by flames. The fire started in the house, and had already spread through the structure when firefighters arrived. All eight family members escaped safely: Emilia Cuevas, her husband Gilberto Chavez, Cuevas’ adult children Veronica and Manuel and his wife Josie Angel, granddaughters Liliana, 5, and Emily, 10 months, and Emilia Cuevas’ nephew, Tony Hernandez.
Crews from South Santa Clara County Fire District, the Gilroy Fire Department, and County Fire helped contain the blaze within an hour, with some remaining until 11am to completely douse the flames. Fire trucks blocked the street as nearby residents tried to drive to work.
“Almost everything was torched,” said owner Roger Silva, who rents out the home to the Cuevas family and lives next door. When his neighbors spotted smoke pouring from a bedroom window, Silva called 911, then tried to put out the fire with a garden hose.
“I’m just happy that nobody was hurt,” he said.
When the smoke cleared, the home was still standing, but hollowed by the fire. Capt. Darren McMillen, of the South Santa Clara County Fire District, called it “a 90 percent loss.” Monday at noon, ash and soot blanketed the ground around the home. Chickens displaced from backyard pens crowed from nearby trees.
Five-year-old Liliana and baby Emily were treated for smoke inhalation, a routine procedure. Silva said no one was injured.
The Red Cross has contacted the family to offer assistance and a place to stay. Silva said the home is insured.
Anyone who wishes to help the family may contact Patricia Cuevas, Emilia Cuevas’ daughter, at 847-4768.
Any donations are welcome,” said Patricia Cuevas. “The babies don’t have anything – everything is gone.”
