My name is Cruzmary and I’m the mother of 2 baby girls aged 3 and 1. In Jan 2025 I used my savings to buy a used cash car to help us get around in a safe environment. She required a lot of maintenance but finally last week, the check engine light was clear. Shayla was nothing fancy but she was ours, unique, and besides making our commute to appointments and daycare easier she gave us a sense of freedom to do activities outside of our immediate area in the bronx.

On Wednesday November 6, 2025 as I was getting my girls ready for bed, neighbors shouted fire. I opened the door and realized the building was not on fire and I probably misheard. A few minutes later, I heard the fire fighters reach the vicinity. There was no smoke and the fire alarm was still not indicating danger. That is when I received a call from my neighbor, who saw me park my car in-front of the building early morning, telling me my car was on fire.

I was in shock and although I fully heard her, I could not believe it. I ran downstairs but quickly realized the fumes from the fire were dangerous and the car and all of our belongings inside the car were unsalvageable. Neighbors who stood in-front of building made comments about the fire starting from the garbage near by and then later spreading to my car.

It saddens me that Shayla is gone but I’m glad my family is ok and the brave firefighters on duty who were injured will make a full recovery. Our lives are irreplaceable, but this sudden event will definitely take a financial toll on me. I’ve lived in NY my entire life and in this new community for a couple of years, I never thought my car would be vandalized so unfortunately my car insurance policy only covered liability.

I’m asking for donations to recover important items i.e carseats, jackets, my daughter’s bike that was in the trunk and any surplus will be used towards a new car.