A devastating fire Monday afternoon caused serious damage to at least four apartments in Dallas.
DALLAS — A devastating fire Monday afternoon caused significant damage in four apartment units in Dallas, leaving an 11-year-old boy and his family displaced and without any possessions.
The fire broke out around 4 p.m. at the apartment complex, according to Dallas Fire Rescue. First responders faced immediate challenges due to the building’s construction and concerns about the fire spreading.
“We have crews just doing a lot of manual labor right now,” Deputy Chief Cristian Hinojosa said at the scene.
Among the residents affected was 11-year-old Mateo who lived in one of the units with his parents and sisters. The family lost everything in the fire, including Mateo’s pet birds and fish.
“We had beds and pictures. All of it is gone. Our money, all my savings,” Mateo said as he watched firefighters battle the flames in near-freezing temperatures. “It burned to a crisp.”
Neighbor Daniel Patrick witnessed the initial signs of the fire. “I started seeing lights, so I knew something definitely was wrong,” he said. “I feel like crying for them. Trying to hustle, trying to survive, you know, just make it as a family — this is a very sad tragedy to happen for them.”
Four apartments sustained serious damage in the fire, Hinojosa said. As crews worked to extinguish the blaze, Mateo said a prayer, hoping such an incident would never happen again.
The family is now facing an uncertain future. “We don’t know what to do now. And I don’t know where to live,” Mateo said.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by Dallas Fire Rescue. The family is accepting donations as they work to rebuild their life here.
