Maria Lieck, 85, and her son Ernesto Lieck lost their family home with all their belongings in a devastating house fire on Monday night, March 17, 2025 around 9:00 pm in Coal Mine just outside Lytle narrowly escaping before it became fully engulfed in flames.
“We are grateful to have escaped, and for the help of family, friends, and neighbors who are helping my mom and cousin Daniel who had lived with us since his strokes,” said Ernesto Lieck. “It was all we had.”
It all started when they heard a loud boom followed by screams for help from Maria.
Ernesto went to the front and opened the front door and saw orange flames.
“I saw like the power lines, I could see something flapping around and sparks going everywhere. I saw the flame, when it tried to come up into the house, “he said.
After he shut the door a window busted and flames rushed in. He asked himself, “How are we going to get out?”
Ernest ended up climbing out of a bedroom window as well as his cousin Daniel. Neighbors helped them get his mother out. She was injured trying to escape the fire. They were also able to save her little chihuahua, Mia, who popped up in a window.
Soon after they got away from the home, Maria heard a buzzing noise and the house was totally in flames.
Reality sunk in as he looked back, “My heart was just sinking and pounding. This is everything, all we have, and now it’s gone,” Ernesto said.
The fire is believed to have been caused by the wind snapping a power line from a pole, catching the porch of the older wooden home on fire. The wind pushed the fire into the attic and it spread quickly.
The older wooden home sat on family land that was given to Maria by her siblings after their father passed away. “My Tio Valentine Lopez built the family home in Coal Mine for his mom, my grandmother years ago,” said Lieck.
“We are doing okay. Church friends are taking care of my mom and cousin and I am grateful. I need to get back to work so I can help them with expenses as I missed a few days of work while taking care of things,” he said. “I am staying with friends; don’t want to be a burden. I like to take care of others instead. I just need to get a few paychecks and then I can start helping out.”
Lieck has worked for Brown Chevrolet in Devine for three years in the Collision Center tracking down auto parts for their repairs. He enjoys what he does and helping search for what is needed.
Cousin Daniel Lopez is 53 years old. Since his stroke he has been struggling with his health and had no income coming in. He lost his sister and dad in the last couple of years, so he was alone. Mom wanted to help him and help him get medical care and possibly disability that is why he was living with us.
Daniel did lose his glasses in the fire, so they are hoping to find a way to get him a new pair.
Ernesto also said the front of his girlfriend’s 2017 Hyundai Accent, parked next to the house, was badly melted from the intense heat. A second car was damaged as well.. He is hoping to find her something soon as she needs it to take his 11 year old step-daughter to her diabetic doctor appointments in San Antonio. Those are our biggest needs right now,” he said.
Anyone who would like to help the family as they recover can do so through a go fund me set up by a neighbor Susan Valdez. “Help the Lieck Family Rebuild after a devastating house fire”.
“They lost almost everything in the fire. The Lieck family has always been the kind of neighbors who bring warmth and kindness to everyone around them. Now, it’s our turn to rally around them in their time of need. They are facing the overwhelming challenge of rebuilding their lives from scratch, and any support—big or small—will help them get back on their feet,” said Valdez in her post.
“All donations will go directly to Maria and Ernesto to help with immediate necessities, temporary housing, and the long road to recovery. If you’re unable to donate, please help spread the word. Let’s show Maria and Ernesto that they are not alone! Thank you for your kindness and generosity,” Valdez said.
