A heroic grandfather from California sacrificed his own life to save his teenage grandson from a devastating house fire that destroyed his family home.
A Fatal Discovery in the Early Hours
Jose Villalta, 69, of Stockton, near San Francisco, was awoken by the smell of smoke in his home on Saturday morning. Initially, his wife advised him to go back to bed, but the retired custodian got up to investigate and discovered the building was ablaze.
Acting swiftly, Villalta managed to shepherd five family members out of the burning property and to safety. However, once outside, he made a terrifying realisation: his 14-year-old grandson was still inside.
The Ultimate Sacrifice to Save a Child
Without a moment's hesitation, Villalta turned and ran back into the inferno. "I've seen footage of the flames, and they were intense," his son, Wilbert Villalta, told local news outlet First Alert 4. "He got [his grandson] out, and then, he just never came out."
The teenage boy escaped safely, but Jose Villalta tragically perished in the flames alongside the home he had worked so hard to provide for his family. "It was a miracle that everyone [else] got out," Wilbert added.
A Family's Grief and a Community's Loss
The fire has completely displaced the grief-stricken family, leaving them with nothing but the burnt-out structure of their home. Villalta is remembered as an "amazing person" who would "help anyone" with "whatever you need."
He immigrated to the US from El Salvador and worked tirelessly, including for the Ripon Unified School District and in sales across the Bay Area, to build a life for his family. In retirement, he enjoyed working at the Modesto flea market and played a major role in caring for his youngest grandchildren.
"[He was a] friend to many who appreciate his big bright smile, and charismatic sense of humour," his family said. He leaves behind his wife, Flor, 72, two sons, and several grandchildren.
A GoFundMe fundraiser set up to support the family has raised nearly $17,000. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with the Stockton Fire Department contacted for comment.
