In the early hours of July 6, a fire swept through the trailer park in Santa Nella, burning down four homes and causing significant damage to several others. The fire left families scrambling to save what little they could and devastated the tight-knit community. Among the hardest hit was the Ortiz family, who are already grappling with the recent loss of their beloved son, Brian Ortiz.

Alondra Ortiz, Brian’s sister, recounted the horrific night and the emotional toll it has taken on her family. “My family and I are overwhelmed and burdened by everything that has happened in just two months. After losing my brother on May 15, life hasn’t been the same. We miss him every day and still grieve for him. When the fire destroyed our home, it felt like losing him all over again. All our childhood memories, everything we had of Brian, gone in the blink of an eye. But we’re staying strong, keeping our heads up, and staying together to get back on our feet.”

Alondra described the chaos as the fire rapidly consumed their home. 

“I remember coming home from a friend’s house around midnight. I woke up at 2 a.m. to see a lot of light coming from the hallway and noticed the front door was open. When I went outside, I saw my dad on a ladder with a hose, trying to fight the flames. He told me to get everyone out. I was confused and in shock, but I managed to get my mom and older brother Diego out. I ran back to save our dogs and called 911. The fire had already spread to the neighbors’ backyard, so I banged on their doors to wake them up and get them to safety.”

Despite the immediate danger, Alondra risked her life to save a few precious items. 

“I went back inside while the house was in flames. My mom’s room was already burning, but I managed to grab Brian’s memorial pictures and the bunny he got at the hospital, which has a heartbeat inside. We lost everything else, including all of Brian’s belongings. It’s heartbreaking because all I have left of him now are those few items.”

The Mendoza family, also residents of the Santa Nella trailer park, faced similar devastation. Lizette Mendoza shared her experience. 

“It was 2:40 a.m. when our neighbors woke us up with loud banging, telling us to grab our child and our dog because there was a fire behind our house. We lost everything. It’s been incredibly difficult, but the support from our community has been overwhelming.

“We’re currently staying at my mom’s house and looking for a new place to live. The community’s kindness has been a lifeline for us. The Red Cross, friends, and local organizations have all reached out to help. It’s heartening to see so many people come together in our time of need.”

The fire is believed to have been started by squatters who were known to be utilizing an abandoned trailer near the affected families. Witnesses reported seeing the squatters fleeing the scene after the fire erupted, leading to suspicions that they may have been responsible for starting the blaze.

In the aftermath of the fire, the community of Santa Nella and surrounding areas have shown incredible solidarity. The Hotel Mission De Oro has provided temporary shelter for affected families, ensuring they have a safe place to stay during the sweltering heat. GUSD School Board members organized collection drives for essentials like hygiene items, food, and clothing. Their efforts were supported by Gustine FFA AG Boosters, A+Plus Plumbing, Merced County Supervisor Lloyd Pereira, Assemblyman Juan Alanis’ team, Congressman John Duarte’s team, Westside 4H, Gustine Downtown Business Association, and numerous local families who helped assist in collecting items and financial contributions that were distributed on July 12 to families at the scene of the fire.

Amidst this wave of support, the United Way of Merced County, in partnership with the Community Foundation of Merced County, has launched a fundraising initiative to support the families affected by the fire. These organizations are directing the raised funds towards helping the affected families recover and rebuild. For those looking to support the fundraiser, you can contact the United Way of Merced County at 209-383-4242.

For those who have images with or of Brian Ortiz, the family is seeking to rebuild the memories lost in the fire. If you would like to share any photos, please email them to sstafford@turlockjournal.com. The images will be compiled and given to the Ortiz family to help them preserve the precious moments taken by the fire.

“We’re deeply grateful for everyone’s support,” Alondra expressed. “The love and care we’ve received give us hope and strength to move forward.”

Lizette Mendoza echoed this sentiment. “We’re staying at my mom’s house for now and looking for a new place to live,” she shared. “The community’s kindness has been a lifeline for us.”

Despite the tragedy, the Ortiz and Mendoza families remain resilient. Alondra Ortiz poignantly concluded, “Even through tough times, we have to keep going. I live for my brother now, and my mission is to take care of my family and live life to the fullest. One day, I hope to give back to the community that has given us so much.”

The Mendozas also faced another heart-wrenching challenge: looters. Lizette shared, “Unfortunately, we found our home ransacked by people looking for valuables. It’s heartbreaking that some in our neighborhood would take advantage of this tragedy. We’re all struggling, and we should be supporting each other, not making things worse.”