‘I don’t know where to turn’ | SA grandmother loses decades-worth of memories, pet birds after home catches fire

SAN ANTONIO — A home of 30 years went up in flames in a matter of seconds. A San Antonio grandmother is now left wondering what to do next but is also counting her blessings.

Shirley Perez’s home, off Leonidas Drive and South WW White Road, caught fire on Friday.  

“I didn’t think it was going to be my house,” Perez said. “I don’t want to move. But I know I can’t live here. I can’t even breathe.”

Perez said this wasn’t just a house but a home where she raised all her kids.

“A lot of memories,” she said. “Quinceaneras. My girls, my granddaughter, Easters, holidays.”

She said the fire started in her bedroom and she would have been asleep. However, on the morning of the fire, Perez was not home and was helping her daughter.

“God must have another plan for me,” Perez said.

The grandmother lost five of her birds. But firefighters did save her turtles, Justice and Rocky.

“He said they survived because they were low,” she said. “And of course my birds were up higher.”

Crews said her home is not a complete loss. But everything is mostly damaged from smoke and water.

“I just break down crying,” she said. “I just feel lost. I don’t know where to turn.”

While times are uncertain, Perez is grateful to see another day.

“I really need prayers,” she said. “Everybody can use a prayer. I just need all the prayers I can get.”

Fire crews said it may have been electrical. As for Perez, she said she is staying with family and trying to figure out what’s next. 

Family and friends are helping her with clothes and money. If you would like to help, click here.