Cancun Fire Kills Dog, Leaves Family Homeless

Cancun, Quintana Roo — A fire sparked by an electrical short circuit tore through a home in Cancun on Thursday, killing the family’s dog and leaving them without a place to live.

The blaze broke out at the intersection of Calles 6 and 105, next to the street market in the Supermanzana 95 neighborhood. Firefighters arrived to find flames spreading through one of the rooms. Nearby residents helped pull the family’s gas tank to safety, reducing the risk of a larger explosion.

Firefighters managed to extinguish the fire, but not before it destroyed the family’s belongings, including furniture, clothing, shoes, personal documents and school supplies recently purchased for Nayeli’s daughter.

The family’s dog did not survive. Nayeli’s mother was inside when the fire started and tried to rescue the animal, but the flames spread too quickly and the dog died in the blaze.

The home suffered severe structural damage and its roof, making it unsafe to occupy. Nayeli was at work when she learned what had happened and now faces starting over almost from scratch.

Adding to her distress, the property owner is demanding that Nayeli pay for the structural damage even though the fire was caused by an electrical failure.

Nayeli is appealing to residents and authorities for donations of basic necessities and school supplies. Social media users have since circulated a call to support the family with money and household goods.