CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A Sinton mother and her three children are rebuilding after a devastating fire early Monday morning left them homeless.
Neighbors watched helplessly as Ashley Garza's home was destroyed by a fire, the flames spreading quickly due to the high winds.
"That my house was catching on fire and there wasn't no stopping it," Garza said. "It was going to burn down regardless, it was pretty bad."
She said she is thankful that her and her small kids were not home at the time of the fire. Garza was diagnosed with cancer in January and was receiving treatment at the time.
"I was on my third day of chemo when it happened and it shattered my heart and took a big toll on me the next day," Garza said. "Just reminding myself that my faith is much stronger because I was going to go home to nothing."
Angelina Garcia with the American Red Cross said they offer assistance in a variety of disaster situations.
"Our goal is to always be on scene and to provide assistance within two hours," Garcia said.
Although her family has lost all of their belongings, Garza told her children that material things can always be replaced but not their lives.
She believes everything happens for a reason.
"I got admitted early into the hospital before hand, there was a reason why," Garza said. "God was watching over me and my kids because I wasn't suppose to be admitted until Tuesday."
She said she is very thankful to her Sinton community, friends and family who have stepped up to help her. A GoFundMe is also in the process of being set up for her.
In the meantime, Garza said fire officials are staying in touch with her as the investigation is ongoing.