Fire displaces Crete family at an already tough time, but community comes around them

CRETE, Neb. (KLKN) – An ordinary Saturday evening changed the lives of a family in Crete when their house went up in flames.

The Mendez family lost their home after an accident caused an estimated $60,000 in damage.

The daughter of Salud and Rocio Mendez said this event came at an already difficult time.

“My dad and I just underwent a transplant surgery,” Maira Mendez said. “I donated my kidney to my dad two weeks ago. It really sucks that this is happening while he’s trying to recuperate or recover from the surgery.”

A firefighter who is also a neighbor of the Mendez family responded to the fire in less than a minute.

Lieutenant Nikki Wells described what she saw.

“When I got on scene, there was smoke from the roof coming out from the vents and the roof,” she said.

Since the fire was in the attic, crews had to basically tear the roof off to fight the flames.

Despite the torment, the community of Crete has come together to help the Mendez family.

The football coach of the Mendezes’ son created a GoFundMe page to help with property losses and living expenses since their home is no longer inhabitable.

The Crete booster club will also have a donation bucket at its fall sports kickoff on Tuesday night.