Nov. 09--A family of three was left without their home after fire damaged it in Central El Paso on Thursday.
At about 12:30 p.m., the Fire Department responded to calls about a fire in the 1100 block of North Cotton Street. About 25 firefighters responded.
When fire crews arrived, they saw smoke coming from the front of the home, officials said.
It took firefighters about 15 minutes to put out the flames.
Neighbors said they thought the smoke appeared to be coming from the attic.
"We live right across from the home," neighbor Ernesto Delgadillo said. "We saw the smoke and my dad called them to make sure that no one was in there."
The family -- a woman and two boys -- were inside when the fire started, but managed to leave before fire crews arrived, El Paso Fire Department Battalion Chief Ed Snyder said.
"Everyone got out safely," Snyder said. "And no one was hurt."
But family members said no one was inside the home at the time of the fire.
"My dad , my mom and my brother live there," said Jennifer Avila in an email to the El Paso Times. "Both my parents were at work and my brother was with me at my apartment at the time."
Firefighters determined that the fire began in a bedroom at the back of the home.
George De La Torre, spokes man for the El Paso Fire Department, said there was extensive fire damage to the bedroom, and smoke damage throughout the house. It was unknown what caused the fire.
The Red Cross of El Paso assisted the family with groceries, clothing and shoes.
The family will be staying with other family members, said Tony Escobedo, disaster services coordinator for the Red Cross of El Paso.
Damage to the home was estimated at $45,000.
Alex Hinojosa may be reached at [email protected]; 546-6137.
Copyright 2012 - El Paso Times, Texas
