UNIVERSAL CITY, Texas – A Universal City family is facing unimaginable loss after a fire destroyed their home on Christmas Eve, killing their two beloved cats and forcing them to pick up the pieces as the new year begins.
Lauren Palmer and Yesenia Cisneros said they were returning from a quick trip to Dollar Tree when they said they smelled smoke.
Within moments, Palmer and Cisneros were confronted with a “solid wall of black smoke” as their home, located off Pat Booker Road, was engulfed in flames.
“I was so focused on trying to get to the cats (that) I didn’t even see the flames,” Palmer said.
The fire didn’t just take their pets. It melted and burned most of the family’s belongings.
“Our cats were our babies,” Palmer said. “The saddest part for us is just that we built our life together, and now, it’s all gone.”
The couple said the fire was likely started by an electrical spark.
“We literally have to start from zero,” Cisneros said. “We had to replace clothes, shoes, socks... everything.”
Though much of their home was destroyed, they are grateful to the Universal City Fire and Police Departments, who quickly responded and helped them salvage some belongings, including Christmas presents for their son.
Despite their loss, Palmer and Cisneros said their path forward is not clear. They are currently fundraising to get back on their feet and asking the community for prayers.
“We don’t know how to move forward, and we’re just in limbo,” Cisneros said.
