San Antonio TX, October 20, 2025
News Summary
A fire has left a San Antonio family homeless after their residence on the 3000 block of Tillie Drive was severely damaged. Fortunately, all family members escaped unharmed, but their pet cat did not survive. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Virginia Centeno, a long-time resident, is now relying on community support to recover from the loss as they begin to rebuild their lives. Her son is assisting her during this difficult time, expressing hope for the future despite the heartbreak.
San Antonio — A longtime resident’s home on the 3000 block of Tillie Drive was largely destroyed by a late-night fire, leaving the family displaced and relying on community support as the cause remains under investigation.
What happened
On September 30, her home was engulfed in flames around 9:30 p.m. near South WW White Road. The blaze caused severe structural damage; at least 75% of the home was damaged in the fire, which is still under investigation for the official cause.
People affected
Virginia Centeno has lived on the 3000 block of Tillie Drive for 59 years. All family members escaped the blaze unharmed, but their cat, Savannah, did not survive. Centeno’s son, Michael, is assisting his 83-year-old mother in rebuilding their lives after the fire.
Damage and loss
The fire left behind only soot, ash, and heartbreak. The residence sustained major damage and the household has been displaced from the home where they raised their children. Centeno expressed her wish to live out the rest of her life in the home where she raised her children.
Insurance and finances
The family had previously insured their home but paused coverage to save money; they intended to restart the policy at the end of November, just one month after the fire incident. Michael mentioned that high insurance costs led them to pause the coverage.
Community response
The family is now relying on community support, including donations via a GoFundMe page, to recover from the loss. Virginia Centeno remains hopeful and said she wants to move forward with hope and faith that things will turn out for the better.
Details and next steps
- The fire is under official investigation to determine cause and final damage estimates.
- The family is coordinating immediate needs and recovery through community donations and local assistance.
- No injuries to family members were reported; the household pet did not survive the incident.
| Key Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Resident | Virginia Centeno |
| Address | 3000 block of Tillie Drive |
| Time & Date | On September 30, around 9:30 p.m. |
| Location note | Near South WW White Road |
| Damage | At least 75% of the home was damaged |
| Human casualties | All family members escaped unharmed |
| Pet | Their cat, Savannah, did not survive |
| Insurance | Policy paused to save money; intended to restart at the end of November |
| Support | Community donations including a GoFundMe page |
Timeline
| Date / Time | Event | Status / Source |
|---|---|---|
| Prior to Sept. 30 | The family had previously insured their home but paused coverage to save money; they intended to restart the policy at the end of November, just one month after the fire incident. | Family statement |
| On September 30, around 9:30 p.m. | On September 30, her home was engulfed in flames around 9:30 p.m. near South WW White Road. | Incident report / Investigation ongoing |
| Immediately after fire | All family members escaped the blaze unharmed, but their cat, Savannah, did not survive. | Family report |
| Ongoing | The family is now relying on community support, including donations via a GoFundMe page, to recover from the loss. | Community effort |
Damage visualization
Portion of home damaged:
FAQ
Where did this occur?
Virginia Centeno has lived on the 3000 block of Tillie Drive for 59 years.
When did the fire occur?
On September 30, her home was engulfed in flames around 9:30 p.m. near South WW White Road.
What was the extent of the damage?
At least 75% of the home was damaged in the fire, which is still under investigation for the official cause.
Were there any injuries?
All family members escaped the blaze unharmed, but their cat, Savannah, did not survive.
Who is helping the family?
Centeno’s son, Michael, is assisting his 83-year-old mother in rebuilding their lives after the fire.
What happened with the home’s insurance?
The family had previously insured their home but paused coverage to save money; they intended to restart the policy at the end of November, just one month after the fire incident.
Why was the insurance paused?
Michael mentioned that high insurance costs led them to pause the coverage.
How is the family recovering?
The family is now relying on community support, including donations via a GoFundMe page, to recover from the loss.
What is the resident’s outlook?
Virginia Centeno remains hopeful and said she wants to move forward with hope and faith that things will turn out for the better.
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Additional Resources
- KENS5: San Antonio Woman Loses Home in Fire
- Wikipedia: Fire
- News4SanAntonio: Firefighters Save Homes
- Google Search: San Antonio fire
- KSAT: Two Hospitalized After House Fire
- Google Scholar: Fire Investigation
- MSN: Major Blaze Near Airport
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Fire Safety
- ExpressNews: Fire Engineer Saves Girl
- Google News: San Antonio Fire Response
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
