By FireRescue1 Staff
AUSTIN, Texas — A firefighter helped a grandmother who lost everything in a fire by soliciting donations for the family on Facebook.
Austin American-Statesmen reported that Norma Guardado’s house, which she lived in for almost 15 years, was completely gutted in the fire. The blaze caused an estimated $150,000 in damage. She lost most of her possessions and her cat.
“We realized that the grandmother was raising four grandkids and had pretty much lost everything,” firefighter Isaac Saldivar said. “Very little in their house was salvageable. It’s just a very bad situation to be in.”
Saldivar used Facebook to solicit donations, which included a high chair, playpen, diapers and clothes.
“What started as a small gesture on social media to get some help turned into many, many members of this community wanting to drop stuff off and donate in any way they can,” Saldivar said.
Guardado couldn’t hold back her tears after seeing all of the donations at the fire station.
“There’s a lot of people out there who really care,” Guardado said. “I’m very grateful.”
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
https://www.facebook.com/SpectrumNewsATX/videos/vb.118091971569342/1602725933105931/?type=2&theater