Police say the mother called 911 Tuesday morning to report her husband’s erratic behavior. Minutes later, a pillar of smoke rose over the Oak Cliff neighborhood.
DALLAS, Texas — The home the Rios family had lived in for nearly 30 years now stands hollow after a fire that followed a domestic crisis in Oak Cliff last week, leaving the family grieving the loss of their loved one, home, pets and lifelong belongings.
Inside the burned home, remnants of everyday life remain untouched. Belts still hang in the closet, boots rest on the floor and charred furniture sits where it was left.
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“Well, that’s my bed, my closet, my little vanity with the drawers,” Idaly Rios said as she pointed through the window of what’s left of her bedroom.
According to authorities, Laura Rios, Idaly Rios’ mother, called 911 early Tuesday morning to report her husband’s erratic behavior. Minutes later, a pillar of smoke rose over the Oak Cliff neighborhood as SWAT officers, police and firefighters responded to the family’s home.
Authorities said the husband and father barricaded himself inside the residence, set the home on fire and later took his own life.
Laura Rios said she had only enough time to wake her daughter before fleeing.
The Rioses escaped the home with only moments to spare. Idaly Rios said her mother’s quick actions likely saved her life.
“She just woke me up and we left,” Idaly said.
When asked whether she believed her mother saved her life, Idaly answered, “Yes. Yeah, because what if he didn’t know I was in my other room?”
When she left, Idaly Rios said all she had with her was the clothes she was wearing and her keys.
The family initially believed they would be able to return home, but instead they were left with nothing.
“We had left our dog and bunny,” Idaly Rios said through tears. “So we lost them too.”
The family shared photos of their 15-year-old dog and pet rabbit, both of which died in the fire.
Walking through next to the damaged home, Idaly Rios pointed out where the fire began.
“This was my room, and this one was my mom’s room where the fire started,” she said.
The family is now coping with the loss of a loved one, their longtime home, beloved pets and nearly all of their belongings.
“We couldn’t get nothing,” Idaly added. “It was all … it was a disaster.”
A fundraiser has been established to help support the Rios family as they begin rebuilding their lives following this tragedy.
The Rios Family said they want to thank everyone who has donated to their cause, which has largely come from their family’s employers.