San Antonio firefighter rescued Christmas and save the home for one East Side family Sunday evening, Dec. 16, 2017.
San Antonio firefighter rescued Christmas and save the home for one East Side family Sunday evening, Dec. 16, 2017.
San Antonio firefighter rescued Christmas and save the home for one East Side family Sunday evening, Dec. 16, 2017.
San Antonio firefighter rescued Christmas and save the home for one East Side family Sunday evening, Dec. 16, 2017.
San Antonio firefighter rescued Christmas and save the home for one East Side family Sunday evening, Dec. 16, 2017.
San Antonio firefighter rescued Christmas and save the home for one East Side family Sunday evening, Dec. 16, 2017.
With Christmas just days away, a special San Antonio Fire Department unit salvaged one East Side family's holiday after a fire engulfed their home Sunday afternoon.
According to SAFD officials, at around 3:55 p.m., a home in the 4100 block of Scarlet Oak went up in flames after a gas can tipped over a water heater in the back of the home and ignited.
SAPD Battalion Chief Tony Rodriguez said seven people were forced to evacuate the residence, including a wheelchair-bound 36-year-old man.
Rodriguez said as firefighters battled the flames and secured the family's safety, a special unit of several firefighters was assembled to salvage any Christmas presents and decorations in the home before they were damaged.
Resident Rosa De La Cruz, 66, cared for her grandchildren while in the home and was overjoyed by how firefighters handled the situation.
"What they did was remarkable," De La Cruz said. "They need to be commended."
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The back half of the house was scorched and Rodriguez estimated there was $50,000 in damages.
According to the children of the home, the family dog was found but their Siamese cat was still missing.
Rodriguez warned homeowners to keep combustibles away from sources of excess heat.
"Keep space heaters as far away from the wall as possible and leave no candles unattended," Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez said the Red Cross will aid in relocating the family.
The fire was one of many SAFD has responded to since Saturday.
Joe Arrington, SAFD spokesperson, said firefighters spent the last couple of hours Saturday night successfully battling three fires in different areas of the city.
Crews were dispatched to house fires, within in an hour of each other, at the 1300 block of West Thompson Place and another on the 5500 block of Country Sun Drive. Both fires were extinguished within minutes, Arrington said.
Units were also called to a grass fire at the 4100 block of Interstate 10 that turned out to be an abandoned building engulfed in flames.
There were no injuries reported.
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