Megan Navarro
DRIFTWOOD – An investigation is ongoing following a fire that occurred on Christmas Eve in Driftwood.
At 8:24 a.m. on Dec. 24, the North Hays County Fire Rescue and San Marcos Hays County EMS were dispatched to a reported structure fire located behind 501 Onion Creek Lane in Driftwood. The dispatch information indicated that a shed/barn structure was on fire.
The first fire unit arrived at 8:32 a.m. and advised of a working fire, according to North Hays County Fire Rescue Fire Chief Scott Collard. The address of the structure was determined to be 700 S. Creekwood Drive, Driftwood (Hays Central Appraisal District R26597).
During suppression efforts, fire crews discovered two deceased bodies located inside the structure, Collard stated.
The victims were later identified as Anyelid Jimenez and her young son Valentin Robles.
The Hays County Fire Marshal’s office was notified and an investigation of the incident is currently ongoing. Additional agencies supporting the investigation include the Hays County Sheriff's Office, the State Fire Marshal's Office and the Texas Rangers.
North Hays County Fire Rescue responded with 11 units and were assisted by fire crews from the cities of Wimberley and Buda, Collard said. First responders were supported at the incident by Hays County CERT personnel. Additionally, one firefighter sustained non-life-threatening injuries while working at the fire.
Paige Frontera, whose daughter takes riding lessons at Querencia Stables, where the fire occurred, initially accepted donations on behalf of the barn, as well as Miguel Angel Robles, husband and father of the deceased. According to Frontera, she was able to gather approximately $13,000 for the family and $4,000 for the barn.
Having met the initial goal of covering funeral expenses, Frontera has since shut down her donation collection effort, opting instead for the family-run GoFundMe to act as the official donation source.
Those who are interested in donating to the family can visit https://gofund.me/d22478cb.
Those who are interested in donating to the barn can contact Frontera at (512) 940-5431.
The Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch will provide updates as more information is made available.
