A fire destroys a family’s home off Canton Avenue in Lehigh Acres

A family is in shock after a fire destroys their home off Canton Avenue in Lehigh Acres.

The family was on vacation when the fire started, no one was hurt and no animals were inside.

But they came home to find the damage left behind, their garage is unrepairable and the roof and doors of the garage are gone.

Marlene Trejo was on vacation with her husband and four kids when she got a call from her neighbor saying her home was on fire.

“It is tragic because it was years of my husband’s work,” Trejo said.

They’ve lived in this home for eight years and now the garage and roof are destroyed.

“We never thought this would happen to us, it is so sad and it is difficult for me to express but we are alive,” Trejo said.

Trejo said she is just thankful no one was inside the home. And she’s thankful for her neighbors who are like family.

“One of our neighbors jumped over the gate to the house and tried to save it and the other neighbor is the one who called us and told us what happened,” Trejo said.

Trejo said she thinks the fire started in the garage but the Lehigh Fire Department is still investigating.

Thankfully Trejo owns the home next door. It is still under construction but the family is going to stay there until they can repair their home.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office said there was no criminal activity involved.