MISSOURI CITY, Texas — Pace lost his home and dog in a Missouri City fire three different crews fought to get under control.
His friends and family are helping him salvage what wasn’t destroyed while Missouri City officials said they’re still investigating the cause of the fire.
Pace said he’s thankful for everyone helping him pick up the pieces as he grapples with the loss of his home and best friend.
“It’s just amazing how it can tear stuff up,” Pace said.
The U.S. Army veteran is standing in his home of 33 years, which is a shell of what it once was.
“It was a great home,” Pace said.
In October, a fire ripped through Pace’s home. On Ring doorbell camera provided to us you see the size of the flames and scene.
Pace described the terror.
“I sat up in the bed when I heard the alarm and, oh, all of a sudden my face was hot, and couldn't breathe. Everybody so far has told me I was supposed to be dead,” Pace said.
Pace said he doesn’t remember escaping the home. In the chaos, he was separated from his dog, Jax, who did not make it out of the fire.
“He was a good dog,” Pace said.
Now, the truck they would ride in together holds most of what Pace has left, including Jax’s collar. As he starts over friends and family are helping every step of the way.
“He helps people in the communities, volunteered and rescued animals and I mean, he's just a great guy,” Todd Wilkerson said.
Even during our interview, people were stopping and making sure their friend knew they were there for him. Wilkerson has been helping Pace clear his home of what could be salvaged.
“He's literally having to start over. No identification, no nothing. I mean, everything's gone,” Wilkerson said.
Wilkerson has been Pace’s neighbor for years. He tells us there is no chance he’s letting his friend go at this by himself.
"Everything's just charred. It's ... the devastation is unbelievable. You know, you see this on TV, and you, you see it in movies and stuff and it's just indescribable,” Wilkerson said.
Pace said his home will likely be demolished and his insurance policy doesn’t cover any of the items inside the home.
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