A family of three in Port St. Lucie, along with their dog, faced an abrupt beginning to the New Year when a fire engulfed their home right after the clock marked the arrival of 2026. WFLX reports that the fire occurred on Southwest Seaside Road just after midnight yesterday. Despite the swift response from the fire department, which managed to douse the flames, the family's residence suffered significant damage.
Describing the harrowing experience, Frank Quintana told WFLX, "Everything changed in a second. Got them out as fast as possible. Nobody got hurt thank God." The family, while celebrating the turn of the year, was suddenly upended by smoke billowing from their garage. As a result of the incident, the family lost their car, clothing, and memorable belongings to the blaze.
According to WPBF, the St. Lucie County Fire District contained the fire to the garage, but the aftermath was a smoke-filled home. The American Red Cross came to aid the family, comprised of two adults and a child, with emergency financial assistance and health and mental health services.
After the ordeal, the family is currently staying at a hotel, relying on community support as they navigate through the aftermath. "We have to be strong, positive, even if we don’t feel strong," Sylvia Figueroa said, as she told WFLX. Figueroa's 9-year-old daughter's room was entirely lost to the flames. A GoFundMe has been started to help the family gather the pieces, to reforge a semblance of normalcy in the wake of the calamity.
The American Red Cross, particularly members of the volunteer Disaster Action Team from the Palm Beach Treasure Coast Chapter, are providing indispensable support during this time of need. Quintana, navigating through the challenges post-fire, laments the loss of their vehicle, which was integral to their daily routine. "The only car that we had," Quintana said, as per WFLX, "I take her to work, then I have to go to work. We take our daughter to school."
