Base digs deep to help fire victim Published Feb. 8, 2007 By Steve Brady 21st Space Wing Public Affairs PETERSON AFB, Colo. -- When fire swept through the Castle West Apartments Jan. 16, hundreds of people lost everything they owned. Among them was Norbert Lopez, an office automation technician with the 21st Logistics Readiness Squadron, who lived on the third floor. Lopez had lived at the apartments for 18 years, and with the fire went a lifetime of possessions. "I lost my wallet, I lost my keys, I lost everything, so all of a sudden I was just rebuilding my life," he said. He said he woke about 1 a.m. coughing from the heavy, dense smoke saturating his apartment. His first instinct was to get dressed and get out. He went to an adjoining bedroom, tore out a window screen and gasped for air, then moved to the window's ledge and waited. "A firefighter saw me, hoisted up a ladder and helped me down," Lopez said. After has was out, he went to a church across the street where the American Red Cross had set up a shelter. He stayed at the church until the morning, when he contacted a co-worker for a ride. His car keys also burned in the fire. Since that time, Lopez said he has received tremendous support from his colleagues. "I want to thank everybody for their continued support. My coworkers, my squadron commander, the group commander, everybody has been wonderful and supportive with their financial generosity and emotional support," he said. "It helps to know that there are people who are willing to help, and that helps with 90 percent of the healing process." Lopez has been a civilian employee here for 21 years, and although he is not eligible for on-base lodging, Col. Manuel Hidalgo, his group commander, made arrangements for him to stay in lodging. Other groups that offered support include the commissary and the Airman's Attic. "It just helps a lot when you know you are not alone in a crisis, and makes the healing process that much faster," he said. Lopez got a new apartment across the street and has begun the painstaking process of re-establishing his life - including his military ID card, driver's license and credit cards. The apartments were condemned, and although he passes by the site everyday, he doesn't dwell on the past. "When I look at the old apartment house I tell myself that was in the past," he said. "I figure at every end there is a beginning and at least I have a new place to live." He said he is on the road to recovery, but that he couldn't have done it without the kindness and love of others. He also advocates for another backup plan. "I want to emphasize to everybody that you have some type of insurance with replacement costs," he said. "I was one of the lucky people who had renter's insurance." The insurance is relatively inexpensive - less than $10 a month - depending on the type and amount of coverage. Lopez offered another tip; safeguarding important data and documents, either away from the home or in a fireproof box. In the end he said his possessions can be replaced, and he is thankful not only for getting out safely, but for the support he has received from Team Pete. "They opened up their hearts to me and made sure one of their own was taken care of," he said. "It makes me proud to be a part of the Air Force family." Comment on this story.