18-year-old Lubbock Man Loses Everything in Sunday Fire
Fire investigators say a candle is to blame for a house fire early Sunday morning. As KLBK's Michaela MacDonald tells us, the inside of the house was completely destroyed leaving one young Lubbock man without his longtime home. -->By: Michaela MacDonald
Updated: December 3, 2012
"Just heartbreaking. I'm so devastated. It was there one day and completely gone in the next couple of hours," said homeowner Pete Valero.
When Pete Valero returned home early Sunday morning he was pushed back by a wall of heat and smoke.
"I was freaking out and I tried to go inside, but I only got in a couple feet it was too hot," said Valero.
Investigators say the fire was caused by a candle left burning in the backroom. Valero says he will probably never light a candle again.
"I came earlier and lit it, but I was positive I had blown it out," he said.
18-year-old Valero lives alone in his late grandmother's house. He plans to join the military next year. Valero says this holiday season will be difficult for his family.
"We would always celebrate a part of Christmas here and we've always done it since I was a little baby and you know it will be really tough. But me and my family, we will get through it. We are a pretty strong family," he said.
Valero says he would appreciate help of any kind--clothes, furniture, anything you can spare.
If you would like to help him out you can find his information on our website. Just go to the homepage of everythinglubbock.com and click on short cuts.
