Displaced Elderly Residents Devastated After Deadly Fire
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DALLAS (CBS 11 NEWS) - The flames are now out at the Gatewood Apartments -- a northeast Dallas complex that is home to many elderly and disabled seniors. Two people died there in an early morning fire. Now, many of the surviving residents are saddled with worry.
When asked how she would begin to rebuild, Lisa Hookings buried her head in her hands and sobbed, "I don't know… I don't know."
Hookings and her husband were part of the 100 or so residents displaced from the complex. Those not staying with family are being put up at area motels. Red Cross volunteers also responded to help the residents.
Rosa Hernandez was finally settled in a motel room by late afternoon. She says Athena, the family pup, kept yelping until she woke and smelled the smoke. "And man you just could see... just gushes and gushes of fire coming out," she recalled. "People screaming, 'Get us out of here! Get us out of here!'"
Hernandez says the fire will put people already struggling in an even more difficult situation. "I think half of that building is full of people, and some in wheelchairs, some in walkers. Some can't even get out of bed. It's bad. It's real bad."
Hookings agrees. She says while she and her husband are more fortunate than most, many of the Gatewood residents live on the economic edge, with few financial resources. "It's going to be real hard for a lot of people here."
Hookings was again moved to tears thinking of the friends and neighbors at Gatewood who will be left in dire circumstances.
Hernandez admits that she is one of those residents who will be financially challenged. She says she supports herself and a 12-year-old grandson on a social security check of less than $700 a month.
When asked about her lack of 'economic cushion,' Hernandez paused for a moment and then looked toward the sky. "God," she said, "God is good," and then she chuckled. "Everybody that's alive should be grateful! Forget about material things!"
Hernandez said her neighbors called her crazy when she faced the loss of her apartment with a still grateful, faithful heart. Her 'cushion' is clearly the priceless gift of perspective.
With a laugh she posed the question, "I say: you're alive! What else do you want?"
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