FRESNO, Calif. \u2014 A Fresno family of six is working to rebuild after a Fourth of July fire destroyed their home and everything they owned.<\/p>\n
Ana Torres says the family had just returned home the night of July 4th when her daughter noticed flames coming from a neighboring property.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we came back it was like around 10 o\u2019clock and the kids still wanted to see the fireworks,\u201d Torres said. \u201cMy daughter started screaming there\u2019s a fire on the side of the house.\u201d<\/p>\n
Torres believes illegal fireworks may have sparked the fire, saying she saw them going off overhead before the flames spread.<\/p>\n
She says a palm tree caught fire and sparks reached her backyard.<\/p>\n
Firefighters were able to put out the flames that night.<\/p>\n
Torres says the home itself did not catch fire at that time.<\/p>\n
But the following day, Torres says she noticed smoke coming from the property. <\/p>\n
She tried to grab a garden hose, but says the fire was already spreading too quickly.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just ran inside and got my kids out of the house,\u201d Torres said.<\/p>\n
Torres says she and her four children escaped safely, but they had no time to save their belongings.<\/p>\n
Because the family was renting the home and did not have renters’ insurance, they are now facing the challenge of replacing everything they lost, including clothing, shoes, furniture, household essentials, and personal items.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s hard because now I can\u2019t provide what my kids want,\u201d Torres said. \u201cIt\u2019s like I can\u2019t buy this right now. We have to wait.\u201d<\/p>\n
The family is currently staying with Torres\u2019 parents while they search for a new place to call home.<\/p>\n