Firebaugh family trying to recover from fire that torched mobile home

On May 20, Francisco Guzman got a call that his mobile home in Firebaugh had caught fire.

Guzman was at his job at a packing house when the fire broke out at 2:45 a.m.

By the time he arrived back home, his family was in the yard, and the mobile home had burned down. His family lost everything.

Guzman’s wife and one of his twin daughters were airlifted to Community Regional Medical Center for treatment of their burns. His son and other daughter were transported by ambulance to the hospital.

According to Guzman, his wife, Yesenia, heard an explosion early that morning. His 10-year-old son, Francisco, ran out and saw his mother run back in to rescue his sisters.

His wife and one of his daughters suffered extensive burns and remain in critical care.

On Thursday, Guzman gave an interview at CRMC’s burn center. He said he didn’t really know what happened until he saw the news later that day. He says he is grateful for everything the social workers, hospital workers and firefighters have done to help his family.

Guzman has been staying at Terry’s House since the fire, a place where family members can live when relatives are at the burn center. “I don’t really know what to do. I’m just waiting,” he said.

Guzman’s son, Francisco, suffered minor burns on his back when he ran from the home. When asked whether the fire was scary, Francisco replied, “Kinda.”

Guzman said when his wife is conscious, she asks for her children, and it gives her peace to see them. At the time of the Thursday press conference, she was undergoing surgery.

The CRMC burn center is asking local charities, as well as Red Cross, to assist the family. The Red Cross has given Guzman a debit card to use while he stays at Terry’s House to help pay for living expenses. Going forward, the burn center is working to find the Guzman family a permanent home in Firebaugh, especially before school starts in late August.

“The family’s got challenges ahead, both emotionally and financially,” said Jeremiah Wittwer of the Fresno County Fire Department. “We’re happy to see that boy getting out.”

A GoFundMe account has been set up for the Guzman family, which can be found here.

This story was originally published June 9, 2016 at 11:09 AM with the headline "Firebaugh family trying to recover from fire that torched mobile home."