Burnt walls covered in soot, insulation hanging from the ceiling and a kitchen table are all that’s left of Jackie Vela’s home.

Vela said she grew up in the home on Van Buren Street near International Boulevard and the expressway. On Nov. 24, the house became hers.

Three days later, on Thanksgiving Day, a fire destroyed the home while she was sleeping.

“The fire and smoke woke me up," Vela said. “I opened my bedroom door, and the refrigerator was on fire and destroyed." 

Vela escaped through the front door.

"I thought the house was going to explode. I was nervous, and I called 911," Vela said.

Vela wasn't hurt, but she said the home was all she had left of her late mother. Vela said the home became hers to protect after her father moved to a nursing home.

“It hurts more to lose my home… even if they build a new house, it's not going to be the same, “Vela said.

Vela plans to renovate so she can move back in. For now, she's staying with family. 

The Brownsville Fire Department said they believe one of the appliances in the home caused the fire.

“Start checking if your appliances are old. They might need to be repaired if you have had them for so many years, because you never know it could start a fire,” Vela said.

Watch the video above for the full story.