SAN ANTONIO — Virginia Centeno has called her house on the 3000 block of Tillie Drive home for 59 years. But on the night of Sept. 30, flames engulfed the back side of the home , leaving behind only soot, ash and heartbreak.

"I saw my boys grow up," Centeno said. "A lot of things happened here. I was hoping I could live the rest of my life here.”

The San Antonio Fire Department responded to the scene around 9:30 p.m. near South WW White Road. While all family members made it out safely, their cat, Savannah, did not survive.

Centeno’s son, Michael, is now taking on the heavy task of helping his mother start over.

“Having to rebuild, and my mom’s 83 years old... words for me inside can’t explain,” he said. “I hold my emotions in, but behind closed doors, I’m breaking down pretty much.”

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