The San Jose family home was destroyed by fire, robbed three times

San Jose – A South Bay family lost their home, which they have owned since 1990, in a devastating fire. In the days that followed, the owner’s daughter and son said thieves ransacked the house several times.

“This was our family room at one point. This is where we had our Christmas tree. This is where we spent a lot of time,” Chris Saplala said with a heavy heart as he walked from room to room.

Remnants of what “was” were visible everywhere. Debris and broken glass fill every room.

“It’s honestly devastating, the only house I’ve ever seen, ever known. I grew up in this house,” Saplala said.

On August 22, around 8 a.m., crews responded to a house fire. Saplala’s mother and a tenant named Eddy, who did not want his last name given, were in their upstairs bedrooms when the fire broke out.

Eddy said there was heavy smoke coming from the garage. He became emotional when he talked about the incident.

“I’m sorry. It’s hard. I try to keep my head up. I have my moments,” he said. Eddy said he escaped through a second-story window and climbed down onto the roof with the help of a bystander.

“The fear that was going through my mind, I really thought I was going to die,” Eddy said. After he got outside, he and another bystander helped save his owner.

But two family pets, a dog and a cat, died from their injuries. A third pet, a dog named Lucky, survived with burns that required surgery.

“Things are replaceable. But our family pets are a great loss to me,” said the owner’s daughter, Cynthia Bala.

Adding to the devastating loss, Bala said her family’s home has been ransacked 3 times since the fire. Among the items stolen were her mother’s jewelry, purses and power tools.

“We don’t understand why they keep taking from a family that has nothing left. It’s pretty heartless,” Bala said. The fire also destroyed two of the family’s vehicles and damaged a third.

Despite the fire and looting, Eddy was thankful that he, his owner, Mary, and her dog survived.

“I’m happy I’m alive. I’m happy Mary’s alive. I’m happy Lucky made it,” Eddy said. The family has now installed surveillance cameras in response to the robberies.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. At this time, the family tells me that it is unclear what the property insurance will cover. The family started a GoFundMe to help rebuild their home.

Amber Lee is a reporter at KTVU. Email Amber at [email protected] or text 510-599-3922. Follow her on Facebook @AmberKTVU, Instagram @AmberKTVU or Twitter @AmberKTVU