Saturday's Internet Edition, 05:26 PM, May 10, 2008.
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The Progress Editor - posted April 30 -
Yolanda Pena and her partner Manual Galindo were suddenly awaked at approximately 1:00 a.m. on Thursday to the sound of someone banging on the door and yelling, “Get out, your house is on fire.”
Pena was so startled by the abruptness of the noise she wasn’t really sure what was going on. She went to the door and could hear Live Oak County Deputy Nick Chavis banging on her door and yelling for her to get out. Pena suddenly realized what he was trying to tell her; her house was on fire.
Nervously Pena tried to open the door but she couldn’t. She ran back to make sure Galindo was up. He managed to open the front door and get out, but Pena was no longer in sight. Pena said, “I ran back to get my purse and keys and when I tried to leave I couldn’t see the door. The house was dark and smoky and there was fire behind me.”
Pena continued, “Then I heard the deputy telling me to come toward his voice and the light.” Pena followed his instructions and managed to get out of the burning house.
Chavis said he learned the house was on fire on a whim. Chavis had just received a call from dispatch asking him to assist with a civil disturbance in the Lagarto area. Prior to driving out to Lagarto, he stopped at the George West Truck Stop for some fuel. An unknown trucker approached Chavis and said, “I think a house near the railroad tracks is on fire. You might want to go check it out.” Chavis told the trucker, I have been dispatched on another call are you sure it’s a fire? The trucker would not give a definitive answer and only said, “I think the house is on fire.”
Chavis checked in with dispatch and told them he was going to check out the truck driver’s story before heading out toward the lake. When he got there he saw the house was ablaze and immediately jumped into action. Chavis said, “I notified dispatch there was a structure fire and we needed all available fire units and ambulance service.”
Chavis banged on the front door of the burning residence, trying to wake the sleeping inhabitants. Shortly thereafter, George West police officer Jason Lee arrived as well as EMS to assist. Chavis said, “Lee and an EMS medic saw there was a trailer full of welding tanks and they lifted the tongue-end of the trailer and moved it about 40-feet away from the fire. About that time, Galindo opened the door and came out. Lee and I tried going in after Pena but we could only walk in about four-feet because the room was dark with thick smoke and fire.”
“I could hear Pena, and I told her to come to our voices and follow the light. She finally came running out. I had gone into combat mode but I was relieved after I knew she was safe,” said Chavis.
Soon the fire department arrived and put out the fire. Pena said, “We just stood there watching the house burn down. There was nothing we could do.” A neighbor and friend invited Pena and Galindo to stay at their house as long as they need to. Other friends, Leroy and Carrie Martinez offered the use of a guest house. Pena said, “They said we could stay as long as we need.” The Red Cross also provided a motel room for three nights and some money for clothes and immediate necessities.
Pena said, “Even though we lost all these material things we have so many friends that have been so good to us and are willing to help us. I am so thankful to them.” Pena is known to many in the community as “Yolanda at Cobb’s or Angel Morin’s daughter.” She has worked at Cobb’s pharmacy for 15 years and her partner Galindo works for Bay. Pena’s father, Morin has worked at GWISD for 20-years.
George West pharmacist Tim Cobb, friends, and family are hosting a benefit BBQ and dance this Saturday, May 3 at the VFW in George West for Pena and Galindo. The $6 donation tickets can be purchased at Cobb’s, Handi Stop #1 and #3, and Tres Hermanas.
Pena tearfully said, “That deputy, Chavis saved our lives. If he had given up and not continued to bang on the door --we would have died from the smoke. We were both in a deep sleep.” Pena continued by saying Chavis was a hero that did not want any attention for his efforts.
The cause of the fire was unknown. Chavis modestly said, “No, I’m not a hero, this is just stuff I learned in Iraq.” Chavis joined the Live Oak County Sheriff’s office four months ago.