In what might be called a miracle, a South Florida family initially believed everything would be lost in a deadly inferno.
His business of three decades was destroyed and his two beloved dogs were destroyed.
However, according to local 10 newsThe pets – Fantasma and Mimi – were found alive.
On May 25, a fire broke out across a block in Opa-Locka, destroying JC Motors and Gary Used Auto Parts.
The fire gutted many parts of the building, but owner Gary Lopez kept his eyes out for signs of his missing dogs.
“I don’t have kids, so they’re my kids,” he said.
More than 17 hours passed, but Lopez did not lose hope.
While he remained standing near the burnt debris and hoping for a miracle.
Then he heard barking coming from the smoking building.
It was Fantasma and Mimi who miraculously came out alive.
“That feeling can’t be beat,” Lopez said of the reunion. “These are smart dogs.”
“I just felt relieved,” he said. “It’s like that, your best friend.”
Despite celebrations, disaster still remains
Although the Lopez family celebrates the miracle of their pet’s survival; But the business he built over three decades has been ruined.
He said, “This place meant the world to us – the income, our everything – now it’s worthless.”
“It was devastating. It’s not two days, you know, it’s 30 years,” Lopez said.
“My father started as an employee, worked his way up, and eventually got the opportunity to buy it.”
Since the incident, the family has set up a GoFundMe page to help.
