A Brownsville man is staying in a home that firefighters have deemed as “unlivable."

Crisogono Perez-Perez’s home near Central Avenue and Highway 48 was destroyed in a fire more than a week ago.

The ceiling is collapsing, and one of the walls is gone. 

Since the fire, Perez has been continuing to live in the home, and often wakes up to the smell of smoke.

“I don't have anywhere else to live, that's the thing,” Perez said, adding that he's just trying to find ways to stay warm

Perez said he rushed home when his brother called him to say the home was on fire. His nephews were at home at the time but his brother was able to save them.

“We couldn't do anything anymore, we couldn't save anything — only the boys,” Perez said.

A total of eight people lived at the home, including Perez’s sister and her family of five.

His sister found a new place to stay while Perez’s brother stays in a small trailer on the property. 

“We don't know what to do,” Perez said.

Perez said the family didn't have home insurance, and now he's looking for ways to adjust. His furniture and the bed he sleeps on were damaged from the fire. Perez said he does have running water, and a neighbor helps pass electricity over to his home. 

“We're not in the best conditions to be living here, but here we are,” Perez said. “It's not very healthy. The first few days, the smell of smoke was so strong it gave me an unbearable headache. Either I’m getting used to it or it's not having much of an effect on me anymore."

According to the Brownsville Police Department, the cause of the fire has been ruled as undetermined.

Watch the video above for the full story. Those wanting to help Crisogono Perez-Perez with building materials or donations of any kind can email digital@krgv.com.