CLEWISTON, Fla — A Clewiston police officer’s home was destroyed by a fire Tuesday afternoon, leaving his family to start over.
Flames and smoke engulfed Officer Raul Garza’s home on South Indio Circle while he was on duty Tuesday afternoon.A neighbor captured video showing the intensity of the blaze.
Watch Community Correspondent Austin Schargorodski's report here...
Garza said the phone call from his family still felt unreal. “My first thoughts are is everyone safe,” Garza recalled. “It was real brief - the house is on fire. They call me saying the house is on fire. You know, I need more info more details, what’s going on?”
Thankfully, everyone made it out safely. But, Garza’s family - including six children - lost their home, all their belongings, and three pets. Garza said fire crews told him the fire started when a hoverboard battery exploded in the garage.
“Everything inside. Everything is lost that we had a connection to. When you work every day in and day out to get your kids what they want and what they need, things like that - for it to all be gone in a flash is rough,” said Garza.
But, the community is stepping up to help. Neighbors dropped off bags of clothes, an a Gofundme is raising money to help the family rebuild. Garza said his landlord also found them a place to stay just down the street.
“I appreciate them. I appreciate everything they’re doing and everything they’ve done. You know, times are tough and to give to somebody else, it’s tough to do that right now and they’re doing it and I couldn’t be more thankful,” said Garza.
ORIGINAL REPORTING:
A Clewiston Police Officer and his family will be spending the Thanksgiving holiday homeless after a fire left their home a complete loss.
Clewiston Police Department say Officer Raul Garza was on duty on Tuesday when he was notified that his home in LaBelle was on fire. The fire department and Hendry County Sheriff’s Office responded to find that everyone made it out safely, but unfortunately three pets passed away in the blaze.
CPD says the fire burned all the belongings of Officer Garza and his girlfriend, as well as six children in the home, ranging in age from 8 to 16.
Clewiston Police Department is raising funds for the family.
