TAMPA, Fla. — A 78-year-old spent New Year's Day sorting through the mess a fire left behind. His mobile home on West Gandy Boulevard caught on fire two days before Christmas.
Mani Pakluck said he believes an electrical issue started the fire. His neighbors tried to put the flames out with a hose and a fire extinguisher after calling 911.
"The smoke just followed everywhere. I can't salvage anything. The smell won't go away," said Mani Pakluck.
Pakluck said he was not home at the time of the fire. He lived at the mobile home with his wife. He works seven days a week and said he was trying to make ends meet. He spent his birthday on New Year's Day wondering what to do next.
"Even the TV is gone. It has disintegrated. The ceiling is falling down," said Pakluck.
He said a miscommunication led to him not having any insurance coverage. He is not sure how he will replace his belongings.
"All my belongings, clothes, everything is gone," he said.
He said he has been staying on a neighbor's couch. He said he is grateful no one was hurt.
His children have set up a GoFundMe to assist with replacing everything he has lost.
