After the fire, family stays in a local motel pondering the
future
Gilroy – Selina Casas wishes she could have her Disney golden books back. Her mother, Hortencia, just wants to be able to cook in her own kitchen again. And her grandmother, Catalina Torres, mourns the loss of her antique crucifix.
The Casas family lost nearly everything when their Crawford Drive home went up in flames May 30. They’ve been living in a hotel room in Gilroy since, eating meals with nearby family members and searching for a new place to call home.
“We’re still in shock about this,” said Hortencia Casas. “It’s been a week and I still can’t believe it happened.”
She didn’t realize a quick trip to the grocery store would be the last time she left her house.
When she returned 40 minutes later the windows were blown out, the mint exterior was charred with black circles from the flames, the rose bush in the front yard was singed and withered, and firefighters were working to determine how it all happened.
Hortencia hasn’t gone back inside since.
“I know if I go in I’ll get a seizure,” she said. “I haven’t slept much since. I’m kind of nervous.”
Early on fire officials ruled out arson. They turned their search to the entertainment center after investigating burn patterns.
Now, it appears the fire started in the living room after an electrical problem with a remote-controlled fan, family members said.
The two-alarm blaze displaced the family of five and caused between $150,000 to $175,000 in structural damages. Furniture and clothes inside the home were severely smoke damaged, costing another $20,000 to $25,000.
And while insurance will likely cover the cost of repairing the structure, since the Casas family was renting the home from Hortencia’s brother Hippolito Casas, they did not have rental insurance.
Gone are Hortencia’s wedding photos. Gone are all of Selina’s books and dolls.
But the one who is taking things the hardest is the matriarch of the family.
Catalina Torres sat on the edge of the bed in the hotel room, her brown eyes watering. Her grandson, 11-month-old Marco – shuttled around her feet in a baby scooter laughing and seemingly unaware of her distress.
“We’re taking it day by day,” she said through her son Raul Casas who interpreted for her. “The saddest part is the pictures.”
Baby photos of her children and grandchildren were lost in the flames.
Since the fire, representatives from First Five and South County Housing have contacted the Casas family to see if they could help. Neighbors have reached out – one even found their dog who became disoriented and lost after he was rescued from the blaze by firefighters.
Catalina does not want to have to move from Gilroy where she has lived for the past 36 years.
“We’re trying to unite. We want to thank the community,” Raul said. “All the neighbors were very supportive, very caring. The little community all tried to come together.”
Raul lives in San Jose. And between work and traveling to Gilroy every day to help the family relocate, he has been on the phone interpreting and trying to make arrangements for his elderly mother.
“I think it’s a critical time, and unless it really happens to you – you can’t know how it feels,” Raul explained, looking at his mother. “You can’t describe it.”
But Raul remains positive despite the stress.
“Help is coming,” he said hopefully.
The family is accepting monetary donations. To donate, the account set up for the fire relief is 1826340660 at Bank of America.
