A Clarksville construction worker was left to rebuild her life following a devastating fire at her home, and she said it may be her toughest project yet.
Just before 5:00 a.m. on Saturday, firefighters arrived at 922 Power Street. Flames had eaten through the walls, windows, and roof of Stella Diaz’s mobile home.
“I don’t have shoes, I don’t have clothes, I don’t have anything,” Diaz said.
Her roommate woke her shortly after the fire started, as flames climbed up the walls. She was forced to jump out a window to escape, crushing her arm. Diaz was airlifted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and was just able to return home Monday afternoon.
“I hear about disasters on the news,” Diaz said. "But when it actually happens to you, it’s an experience you never want to go through.”
Because of her injury, Diaz will not be able to return to work for up to eight weeks – a prognosis she said makes recovery feel impossible.
“We’re poor, but this is past poor,” she said.
Her daughter and grandson also lived in the mobile home, but were not there at the time of the fire.
Diaz said she plans to stay at the Clarksville Salvation Army until she’s able to find a permanent home. If you’d like to help, donations can be dropped off there.