BEXAR COUNTY, Texas – Yellow tape now stretches across where the fence line should stand at the Bonilla family home.
“I came out and started the engine,” Jose Bonilla said.
Within minutes, smoke turned into flames, rapidly consuming his vehicle and part of his home. It has been two weeks since then, and Bonilla said an investigation into what happened is still underway.
“We’ve been completely displaced,” Bonilla said. “The outpouring of support has made this a little bit easier on us, but, it’s very difficult to go through the process.”
Bonilla said Monday, Jan. 20, started like any other. He said he wanted to turn on his RV to prepare for the possible winter storm, but in just minutes, his plans changed.
“It’s a tremendous loss,” Bonilla said.
He said by the time the fire happened, he had already winterized his home.
“A lot of our hoses were not actually connected to the spigot at the time,” Bonilla said. “What felt like was just maybe a minute or two of us trying to get our hoses connected felt like an eternity in that moment.”
Thankfully, Bexar County ESD responded to help. Bonilla’s family was all safe, but his possessions were lost.
“We work hard for what we have and our belongings,” Bonilla said. “What I think about is actually the potential fatalities that could have come about. We’re hopeful that someone will give us answers soon.”
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