Five families left picking up the pieces after house catches fire

An investigation is underway into what caused a house fire in Yigo, forcing five families out of their homes.

Thankfully, each one made it out safely.

As many across the island ready their homes for thanksgiving celebrations, a somber contrast unfolds along east Gayinero road in Yigo, where five families living on the same lot find themselves grappling with the reality of having lost everything to a fire. 

Yigo resident, Francisco Casas spoke with us, “this unit is my family, the side this family, and  this side, the owner of this car–and this one is my landlord–my landlord’s brother.” 

A small shack positioned behind the homes caught fire. 

The flames quickly spread to the units nearby, quickly engulfing memories, clothing, and people’s safe haven in the process. 

Francisco Casas and his wife, Asuncion Casas, are part of this small community. They’ve lived here since 2019 and now are left homeless. 

Casas also shared his current living status, “I’m parking in the–I’m sleeping in my car at K-mart.” 

Casas and his wife, alongside some of their neighbors, are still too shaken up to speak on camera. The fire leaves them in disbelief. 

Asuncion told KUAM she noticed the flames at a 4-way stop on her way back home from the store, praying it wasn’t coming from her home. 

Sadly, she realized the fire was at her doorstep, Asuncion called her husband home from his construction job to a scene of devastation.

“I really need help… I don’t have a house…my–some tools are…I cannot work because my tools are burnt,” Francisco Casas said.

It's a call for help that Yigo Mayor Anthony Sanchez is answering, alongside Humanity First, who made donations to the family. 

Mayor Sanchez shared, “We reached out to Mr. Khalid here in regards to getting them some food, some canned goods, some butane, some rice, and stuff like that–some vegetables–so, I’m really appreciative to Mr. Khalid from Humanity First.” 

Khalid Kahn, a representative from Humanity First, also spoke with us, “Today I went and got whatever we could–like rice, canned food, water, butane gas, and whatever we could do to help the community here in Guam–for the victims.” 

And while the families are grateful to have escaped the tragedy with their lives, they say they are in desperate need of shelter. Asuncion told us, no island homeless shelter has confirmed a place for them. 

“That’s what they’re trying to figure out right now is a place to stay–so, I don’t know if there’s anyone out there that can assist them–we’ll try to do our best and our part as the mayor’s office to assist them and find them a place to stay. But, that’s gonna be the tricky part right there–is finding a place to stay,” Sanchez added.  

For those wishing to donate to the families, Sanchez says they can contact the Yigo Mayor’s Office. 

For those interested in making direct assistance to Francisco and Asuncion, they can contact (671) 977-0667.