MODESTO – A vigil was held in front of a home where two residents lost their lives in a fire Wednesday morning and three others were injured.

At least a couple hundred people attended the vigil, where those who knew the victims placed flowers, candles and balloons at the home where a fire consumed a home Wednesday morning. Some played music while others prayed.

Maria Elena Cabrera and her son Marcos Garcia died in the fire. Witnesses reported Cabrera ran back into the home during the fire after her son didn’t exit. Cabrera’s husband and two younger children managed to escape. Two of them were airlifted by helicopter to burn centers, the third was treated on scene by medical personnel. (Our previous article incorrectly reported three children were injured in the fire. The correct information is two children and one adult.)

The fire happened shortly after 7:00am on El Sereno Street in the Rancho Encantado neighborhood in South Modesto. Fire crews found heavy fire and smoke conditions on arrival, and upon learning about trapped residents requested a second alarm for more resources. Rescue strategies were executed, using ladders and making entry through windows.

Ammunition found in the home along with aerosol containers complicated the situation for fire crews trying to bring the situation under control according to Modesto Fire Chief Alan Ernst.

Investigators with the Modesto Police Department, Stanislaus Regional Fire Investigations Unit and other agencies were on scene examining the home well into Wednesday afternoon. Early reports indicated several callers reported fireworks going off around the time of the fire, but that has yet to be determined.

Those in attendance Wednesday said Marcos was a car detailer and was well liked by the neighbors. The family was described as hard working. Videos posted to Marcos’ instagram account the evening before showed his skills and attention to detail while cleaning the interior of a customer’s vehicle.

Several fundraiser accounts were established to aid the victims for their needs. Those interested in supporting can visit the following links for more information.

Ayuda para la familia de Malena Cabrera

The Garcia Family

Malena Cabrera y Marcos Garcia