A fast-moving fire last Saturday tore through a home in the 5500 block of Curzon Avenue in Fort Worth, destroying the residence and leaving a pregnant woman in the hospital, according to relatives. Neighbors reported seeing people shooting off fireworks in the street shortly before the flames broke out, and one firefighter had to be treated for heat exhaustion at the scene. Family members say the house was fully paid off and did not have homeowner's insurance, leaving them with no financial cushion after the loss. Relatives have launched a fundraiser to cover immediate expenses while investigators sort out what sparked the blaze.
Family's account
Cousin Cinthia Solano told FOX 4 that Johana Alvarado, who is seven months pregnant, noticed the smell of smoke as soon as she stepped out of the bathroom and that flames spread so quickly the family didn't have time to put on their shoes. Solano said Johana suffered burns to her foot and shoulder and was taken to a hospital, where staff monitored contractions as a precaution. She described the scene as overwhelming, saying the home their parents built was "gone in seconds" and that the family is now staring down the task of replacing everything from identification documents to furniture.
Fundraiser aims to help rebuild
A GoFundMe organized by Solano states that fireworks set off the blaze and reports $7,406 raised toward a $50,000 goal to help cover home repairs, lost belongings and basic necessities. The appeal notes that while everyone escaped alive, the family lost their vehicle, their possessions and a fully paid-off home. Organizers are asking for donations and shares so the family can secure temporary housing and begin putting their lives back together.
Investigators probing cause
The Fort Worth Fire Department has said the cause of the fire is still under investigation and has not confirmed whether fireworks were to blame, according to FOX 4. Crews responding to the blaze also treated at least one firefighter for heat exhaustion, the outlet reports. Neighbors told reporters they saw people lighting fireworks in the street shortly before the house caught fire, a detail investigators say they are reviewing as they examine the scene.
Fireworks are illegal in Fort Worth
The city reminds residents that fireworks are illegal within Fort Worth city limits under ordinance Section 3301.1.3 and that possession, sale or use can bring fines, according to the Fort Worth Fire Department's guidance. The City of Fort Worth's fireworks information warns that illegal fireworks can spark wildfires, structure fires, and serious injuries and outlines drop-off and reporting options. Fire officials say it is safer to leave the pyrotechnics to permitted, professional shows to reduce the chances that holiday celebrations will end in damage or injury.
Neighbors, city respond
The Curzon Avenue fire was one of several house fires Fort Worth crews battled over the holiday weekend as the city fielded a wave of illegal fireworks complaints, according to wider news reports. City leaders and neighbors say the surge in calls highlights why Fort Worth enforces a strict no-fireworks policy and urges residents to report violations through the MyFW app or nonemergency phone lines. For now, the family is focused on recovering from the fire and waiting on investigators to release an official cause.
