Santa Nella residents who were left displaced after a devastating fire ripped through their mobile home park earlier this month have yet to return to their homes and continue to face hurdles.
The fire displaced at least 14 people in the early-morning hours of July 6, but it also left the mobile home park’s other residents without power. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
On top of that, many homes are being targeted by thieves, meaning the residents are losing what few belongings they have left.
Raul Martinez and Rosario Hernandez, two residents from the mobile home park, attended the Merced County Board of Supervisors meeting on July 23. They spoke during public comment, pleading for help.
“We’re very desperate,” Hernandez said in Spanish, addressing the board through an interpreter.
Many residents are staying in a nearby motel, eating up their savings to pay for the rooms, fast food and gas to commute. They are worried about when – and whether– they’d be able to return home.
Hernandez described a number of ailments plaguing her elderly parents and young daughter, noting that she herself was scheduled to undergo surgery.
“(We’re) not only fearful at this point of not being in our homes, but also losing what we have left, which is not much,” Hernandez said.
Residents showed up to the board meeting earlier this month, on July 9, as well, sharing their hardships caused by the fire. Two days later, county officials issued a statement about aid distributed and offered to the residents.
“County social workers have been successful in providing immediate, direct assistance to several residents, and these efforts are ongoing,” the statement read.
Still, weeks later, the mobile home park remained without power. Martinez, Hernandez and county officials, through the statement, all said they had been in touch with PG&E.
“This unfortunate situation is complex and will take time to address,” the county statement said. “The county and its partners are fully committed to working together as long as it takes to help this community.”
County CEO Raul Lomeli Mendez assured the board that county staff is “fully engaged” in Santa Nella, working to help the affected residents. In particular, Mendez said county administrators spoke with PG&E officials on Monday, and he was encouraged the utility is on track to finding a permanent solution to the issue.
County Supervisor Daron McDaniel noted it was a tricky situation since the mobile home property is privately owned and multiple jurisdictions are involved.
“I want to share with the board that your county team is doing its best to continue to work to restore things to the way they were in the past, before the fire,” he said.
In response to the fire, the United Way of Merced County and Community Foundation of Merced County partnered to raise funds for the affected residents.
Visit unitedwaymerced.org for more information about how to help.