LOS CHAVEZ — The Abeyta family is salvaging what they can after a fire destroyed their house and business, but Tina Abeyta is definitely finding things to be grateful for in the aftermath.
“Everyone is OK,” Tina said Tuesday morning. “God is good and we’re all OK.”
Fire crews from Valencia County and nearby municipalities responded to the blaze at Shades of Tint in the 4900 block of N.M. 314 in Los Chavez around 2 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 27.
Valencia County Fire Chief Matt Propp said no one was injured in the blaze. The exact cause of the fire is still pending, but early indicators point to an accidental fire.
“Unfortunately, (the building) was not insured, which is really sad,” Propp said. “The owner and his family are well known in the community. He actually just did some work for us at our offices.”
Julia M. Dendinger | News-Bulletin photo
A fire destroyed a Los Chavez family’s home and business last week. At around 2 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 27, fire crews from several agencies responded to a structure fire at Shades of Tint.
The home and business were attached to one another, Tina said, and the entire structure will have to be demolished.
“It was what they call a top fire, so when it collapsed in, some of the stuff on the bottom we’re able to salvage,” she said. “There are a lot of clothes and pictures even. That’s a blessing.”
Tina, a kindergarten teacher with Belen Consolidated Schools, was at work when she got a call from her husband’s employee.
“I could tell right away something was wrong. I thought it was Joe, but he told me he’s OK, but there was a house fire,” Tina said. “I came to check what was going on. It was a little overwhelming.”
With their home a total loss, Tina, Joe Ray and their three children were initially staying with her mother-in-law, Martha.
“We were staying at her place until we found a place. And we’ve found a place already,” she said.
Just six doors down from their house, a neighbor had a rental coming available.
“They were already moving out this last weekend and we’re already moving in. It’s fully furnished,” Tina said. “God works in mysterious ways. He is providing. He is putting it on people’s hearts to help.
“It has been so amazing. There are so many people coming to help, offering up meals and clothes and prayers, everything we need.”
A GoFundMe campaign has been set up for the family, which as of Tuesday, Oct. 4, had already raised $19,356 of the campaign’s $100,000 goal.
Go to gofundme.com and search for “Joe Ray Abeyta Family,” to find the correct campaign.
Julia M. Dendinger began working at the VCNB in 2006. She covers Valencia County government, Belen Consolidated Schools and the village of Bosque Farms. She is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists Rio Grande chapter’s board of directors.
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April 25, 2024
