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Fire destroys Jaramillo family home; benefit April 9





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A grass fire that started next to a power pole at the Jaramillo home off F.M. 2579 northwest of Floresville claimed the family’s home. COURTESY/Mario Jaramillo

A grass fire that started next to a power pole at the Jaramillo home off F.M. 2579 northwest of Floresville claimed the family’s home. COURTESY/Mario Jaramillo

FLORESVILLE — From the start, it wasn’t “just another Sunday” on March 13 for the Jaramillo family — Mario, his wife Amy, their son and daughter, and five grandchildren. It was the first day of Daylight Saving Time, as well as the beginning of spring break for the four schoolage grandchildren. They set the clocks ahead, and Amy and the grandchildren left that morning on a road trip out of town to visit family. Everything was fine — until it wasn’t.

At about 1 p.m., Mario said, he was watching television in their home northwest of Floresville when he heard a pop and the power briefly went out and came back on. He thought nothing of it at the time. Minutes later, his dog, Waya, jumped to attention, looking around anxiously.

“I got up and grabbed my phone,” Mario recalled. “I thought maybe somebody had hit the [electricity] pole again, because they’ve hit it before. So I went out and looked [out front] and didn’t see anything, but then I smelled the smoke. I turned around and everything was in flames.”

A benefit for the Jaramillo family is planned for Saturday, April 9, at Cuevas Piñatas in Floresville. COURTESY/Mario Jaramillo

A benefit for the Jaramillo family is planned for Saturday, April 9, at Cuevas Piñatas in Floresville. COURTESY/Mario Jaramillo

Jaramillo immediately called 9-1-1, then began dousing the flames with a water hose, but he was no match for the fire. As firefighters arrived on the scene, he ran into the house to retrieve the family pets. He was able to save the family’s two dogs, but couldn’t reach their seven cats.

Responding to the fire were Wilson County ESD 5 Fire, Wilson County ESD 4 EMS, District 1 Fire and Rescue, and District 2 Emergency Services, as well as Bexar County Emergency Services Districts 10 and 12.

According to reports, what began as a grass fire near a power pole spread rapidly, incinerating everything in its path. The Jaramillo family lost their home and everything in it. The only thing they didn’t lose is each other.

Now the road to rebuilding, literally and figuratively, lies ahead. Family members are scattered, staying with other family members where they can — not all together, but as close as they can be. They’re thankful to still be in Wilson County, where residents have a history of helping out their neighbors.

Benefit

Enter Katelyn Koenig and Cynthia Cuevas, owner of Cuevas Piñatas. They united to organize a fundraiser for the Jaramillos, scheduled for Saturday, April 9, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The event will be held at Cuevas Piñatas, 33 Laboratory Road, near Floresville. Koenig and Cuevas invite everyone to support the Jaramillos while enjoying some family activities, including a bake sale, washer tournament, and silent auction.

For more information, contact Koenig at 830-484-7183 or katelyn100611@gmail.com.