July Fourth house fire kills family dog

AUSTIN (KXAN) - An Austin family sifted through the pieces of their home Saturday after an early morning fire destroyed everything, even killing their dog.

The blaze tore through their mobile home just north of Lamar on Research boulevards.

"The wall collapsed somehow and went through my room," said Elena Santiago.

Santiago described her terrifying Fourth of July after she woke up around 4:30 a.m. to a burning bedroom.

"When we noticed it, the fire was already in the roof," said Santiago. "The windows cracked, and glass flew everywhere."

Trapped in her bedroom, Santiago said her door was melted shut.

"For 15 minutes, I was standing there, and I was thinking, 'I'm going to die here,'" said Santiago.

Luckily, her stepfather rescued her. Her mother, brother, niece and nephew all got out safely. They even managed to save their puppy. However, Santiago's dog did not make it out alive.

After calling 911, neighbors tried to put out the blaze. Later, those same good samaritans brought food and drinks to the family, who spent the day sifting through the ashes of their home.

"I'm sad because she's the only one who helped me when I needed something," said neighbor Carolina Pimentel.

Investigators said they believe a faulty cable is to blame.

"Just seeing our stuff go like that," said Santiago. "You can't imagine. That's our memories."

The Red Cross is providing a hotel room for the family for three nights. After that, the family does not know what they will do next.

To donate, please call the Red Cross and specify the money is for the Santiago family at (512) 928-4271 or go online to their Web site .