Deadly fire brings community together

FREDERICKSBURG, Texas (KXAN) - Teary-eyed and carrying four handmade blankets, Pam Behrends took time off her delivery route as a FedEx driver to donate the blankets to the surviving members of the Cantu family.

Brian Cantu, 15, and his sister Justine, 13, were trapped inside their Fredericksburg home off Deerview Drive Tuesday morning as flames engulfed it. Their father Armando, their mother, Lucy, and two siblings were able to make it out safely.

Armando, trying desperately to save his children, ran back into the home and was severely burned.

"I think it is important to have something brand new," said Behrends of the blankets made by women that attend her church in Stonewall.  Maybe it is a new beginning or something to hold onto."

Behrends' son grew up with Brian, making news of the teens' death even harder to comprehend.

"It is a family of smiles and I just pray that some day they are going to be able to smile again," she said.

Behrends is among hundreds of people who are donating food, money and goods to the Cantu family.

La Iglesia Iglesia del Nuevo Testamento is one church where donations are being accepted and distributed.

Members first set out to bring the Cantu family donates and coffee following the fire, but it quickly turned into helping them get back on their feet. The family lost everything in the fire that could have been sparked by a faulty water heater.

The back room of the church is filled with canned food, clothing, toiletries, kitchenware and furniture.

"I had a lady come and go through her closet and get the dressiest of her clothes, just so that Lucy, the mom, can have clothes for the funeral," said Rachel Garcia, who is heading up the effort.

The room was so packed with goods volunteers have already taken truckload over to the homes where surviving family members are staying.

"Everybody that comes in [to donate] cries. They are broken. They are hurting, especially moms, they care coming in just torn," Garcia explained.

Outside of what remains of the Cantu home is a memorial. Neighbors, friends, family members and even strangers have left balloons, notes and stuffed animals.

Jonathan Garcia, who grew up with the surviving Cantu sister, made a heart shape out of tea candles and lit them up Tuesday night.

"It was my brother's idea," Garcia said.  "You can see where his thoughts were coming from, his heart."

Donations will continue to be collected at the church until next week. Money is also being collected to help pay for both teenagers' funerals.  Still, community members like Behrends know that their donations cannot replace everything that was lost.

"This is the most horrific tragedy that could ever occur. Things can be replaced, but children can't," Behrends said, choking back tears.

Armando, who was burned over 40 percent of his body, remains in critical condition at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio.   Family members said he is bandaged, swollen and must spend at least three weeks in the hospital. 

Relatives began making funeral arrangements Wednesday.  It is not likely Armando will be able to attend.

Shaetter's Funeral Home in Fredericksburg is handling the services. Monetary donations are also being accepted there to help pay for the funerals.

For those who would like to donate, Iglesia del Nuevo Testamento is located at 302 W. Park Street in Fredericksburg. Contact Rachel Garcia at  830-990-2607.