How does one family begin to cope with losing a mother, two sons and a grandmother in a single morning? That is the painful question facing a Chicago family after a devastating house fire claimed four lives at their Rogers Park townhome early Thursday, November 5.
The victims were identified as 48-year-old Mariza Garcia Jimenez, her 13-year-old son, Valentino Vallejo, her 24-year-old son, Francisco Vallejo, and her 69-year-old mother, Maria Jimenez De Garcia. Their family dog also died in the fire.
The fire broke out around 4:15 a.m. at their two-story townhome in the 7000 block of North Paulina Street. Emergency crews rushed to the scene after reports of the blaze. The four family members were found unresponsive and taken to nearby hospitals, where they were later pronounced dead.
For neighbors, the morning quickly turned into a nightmare. Some said they woke up to screams coming from the burning home as family members called for help. One neighbor recalled hearing someone shout that they did not have their phone. She immediately grabbed hers and called 911.
The loss has also hit the Rogers Park community hard. Neighbors described the family as friendly, close-knit people who regularly interacted with those around them. They were known for taking part in neighborhood activities, hosting block parties and maintaining strong relationships with people living nearby.
Mariza was also actively involved in her community. She volunteered as a catechist at St. Jerome’s Catholic Church, where her youngest son, Valentino, was preparing for his First Communion. She also supported the Special Olympics Polar Plunge in honor of Francisco, who had intellectual disabilities.
The family is now facing another painful challenge: arranging four funerals. Relatives have organized a GoFundMe fundraiser to help cover funeral, burial and other expenses. The campaign had raised approximately $87,000 by Friday evening, as donations continued coming in from people touched by the family’s loss.
Authorities are still investigating what caused the fire. Family members said the home had working smoke detectors. Meanwhile, relatives and neighbors are left trying to understand how an ordinary family home became the scene of such a devastating loss. Four loved ones are gone, including a young boy whose life was still unfolding, and the family must now find a way to move forward without them.
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