'Get out, get out': Texas fourplex fire leaves 4 families displaced nearly a week later

A fire at an El Paso fourplex has left four families without a home, turning an ordinary evening into a long, uncertain stretch of hotel stays, borrowed rooms, and damaged belongings.

The disruption is still being felt across every affected household as repairs slowly get underway.

Here's what to know

While baking cupcakes with her children, an anonymous renter suddenly heard a neighbor pounding on the door to tell them to get out. KFOX14 reported that the fire started shortly after 5 p.m. and forced residents to evacuate almost immediately.

"As soon as we got the frosting out, that's when my neighbor banged on the door, and he was just banging nonstop, saying to get out, get out," she said. "So within seconds... I open the door and I just see smoke and flames."

Since the fire, the renter said that she and her children have been staying in a hotel while keeping up with school and work.

According to property owner Sonya Ramirez, the fire forced all four households in the building out of their homes.

"Tenants are all over the place," Ramirez said. "I have some tenants that are with family temporarily. I have tenants that have been in a mixture of Red Cross and hotels, just trying to get day by day."

Ramirez said she believes the blaze began outside the building and may have been caused by a discarded cigarette, but the El Paso Fire Department said it did not have that information available at the time.

More background

The anonymous renter said, "For [the children], it's fun, but for, as a mom, it breaks your heart. You wanna be home, in your own bed."

Ramirez said return dates depend on the unit: apartments farther from the heaviest damage may be ready in a week or two, while the two hardest-hit units could take one to three months because of inspections, repairs, and insurance.

What's being done?

Some residents have received help from the Red Cross, Ramirez said, as they arrange temporary housing.

Ramirez also started a GoFundMe to help the four displaced families pay for temporary housing, storage, cleaning, food, clothing, and other relocation expenses.

On the property side, repairs are now underway, though the pace will depend on insurance and inspection requirements.

"This is just one of those life-changing events," Ramirez said. "I don't think you're ever prepared for something like this. You hear about it and you see it on the news, but you never think it's going to happen to you or anybody close that you know."

Where can I learn more?

Fires like this one can leave people scrambling for shelter and waiting on repairs. 

• A homeowner on Reddit said neighbors ignited a massive fire, leaving the house basically uninhabitable.

• In San Bernardino, California, a devastating fire ripped through neighborhoods as homeowners fled.

• Researchers warned homes may not be safe after wildfire smoke seems to clear.

• Across the Carolinas, evacuation orders were issued as wildfires intensified after Hurricane Helene.

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