Family loses everything to fire

GEORGETOWN (KXAN) - A family of eight loses everything after their microwave sets fire. The Georgetown family had just eaten dinner when the blaze broke out burning down their mobile home. That was just after 6:30 Monday night off of Kendall Street in Georgetown.

"The most important thing is that have my family still,” said Maria Alvarado.

She, her husband, brother-in-law and five children are counting their blessings. However, one toy and one picture were the only salvageable items.

"It's just sad to see everything go,” said Alvarado.

They are left without a roof over their heads, beds to sleep on or clothes to wear - and it has hit the children the hardest.

"That's all they say. 'We don’t have a home any more,' ” said Alvarado. "We lost everything. We don’t have anything."

The fire burned so fast once the microwave exploded they had no time to grab anything.

"I heard the smoke detector come on,” said Alvarado. "The whole kitchen was already up in flames."

Firefighters responded in two minutes but that was not quick enough.

"On a mobile home with how small the kitchen is and as combustible as the area is just don't have too many seconds,” said Chief Robert Fite, Georgetown Fire Department.

They did not have insurance. The family had just bought the home and was waiting to get the title from the previous owner.

"The insurance company wouldn’t let us, until we had the title,” said Alvarado.

The Red Cross is putting them up in a motel for two nights and gave them enough money to buy each person one outfit.

Pickett and Carver Elementary Schools in Georgetown are now accepting clothing, cash and toy donations to help the Alvarado family get back on their feet.

It will be a long road to rebuilding, but the Alvarado family is just grateful no one was hurt.

"Everything else we can get eventually. The most important thing is we're all okay,” said Alvarado.

The schools are asking for:

• 4th grade girl Size 12, Shoe size 4
• 2nd grade boy Size 8, Shoe size 1
• Kinder boy Size 7, Shoe size 12-13
• PreK boy Size 5, Shoe size 11
• Baby girl age 2

Drop off any donation of clothes, toiletries, food, or money to Pickett or Carver campuses, and the schools will make sure they are delivered to the family.