Fire damages renovated historical district home

Fire gutted the back area of this historic home located on the 700 block of W. Henrietta. (Photo by Gloria Bigger-Cantu). David and Amy Naranjo and their two young school-age children had only lived in their home for one year when a fire Monday morning gutting the back part of the house. The blaze resulted in soot and smoke damage throughout the whole house.

For the past two years, Amy Naranjo, her husband and her brother-in-law worked continuously renovating the large two-story house located in the 700 block of West Henrietta.

Thousands of dollars were spent to upgrade the residence. Now the rebuilding process will again cost thousands of dollars.

The couple also had to follow the city’s historical commission guidelines for the renovation of the home that was built in the late 1920’s. The original owner was the first dentist in Kingsville.

“We had just finished the counter top of the kitchen on Sunday night,” said Amy Naranjo. The kitchen and laundry room were totally gutted, all appliances are gone, and most of the furniture was destroyed.

“Basically, everything we did on the remodeling is gone,” Amy Naranjo said. Now the couple will have to wait at least six months before their home can be rebuilt. Currently, they are living at a residence provided by their insurance company.

“It’s a big adjustment living somewhere besides our home,” said Amy Naranjo, who works at a local bank. Her husband works as a general manager for Corpus Christi business. Both are Kingsville natives and H.M. King High School graduates.

Amy Naranjo said this home had special meaning for her because this had been her childhood home where her parents and brothers lived.

“I never thought this would happen,” she said.

It is assumed the house was ignited by a propane tank of a barbecue pit that was on the back porch of the house, according to what fire department officials told her.

Although, the couple is living with less, they still want to maintain a stabilized life for their children and continue their daily routine.

“We are grateful nobody was at home,” said Rosie Valerio, Amy Naranjo’s mother.

“We are so humbled with all the people that have helped us,” Amy Naranjo said. She said she is extremely appreciative of all the assistance they have received from their insurance company.

“The Farmers Insurance people have come forward and helped us in every aspect possible,” Amy Naranjo said. An account to assist the family has been established at the Kingsville Community Federal Credit Union, located at 605 East Caesar. The account number is 7882 in the names of David and Amy Naranjo.