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Beloved Grandparents Perish in West Side House Fire
Officials confirm fire started near wood stove as husband searched for wife
Jan. 28, 2026 at 4:15pm
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Juan Hinojosa, 75, and his wife Guillermina Pinelo-Hinojosa, 75, died in a house fire on the West Side of San Antonio on Monday night. Authorities believe the fire started near a wood stove that Hinojosa had lit to keep the home warm, and that Hinojosa was searching for his wife when the blaze broke out. Firefighters found Pinelo-Hinojosa trapped in a closet and Hinojosa in the back of the home, but they were unable to save the couple.
Why it matters
The tragic deaths of the beloved grandparents have left their family devastated and raised questions about home fire safety, especially the risks of wood stoves during extreme cold weather. The incident also highlights the importance of fire preparedness and having clear emergency plans for older adults living independently.
The details
Around 11 p.m. on Monday, the couple's next-door neighbor heard a boom and saw flames coming from the Hinojosa home on South San Dario Avenue. Firefighters responded and found Pinelo-Hinojosa trapped in a closet and Hinojosa in the back of the home. They were rushed to the hospital but pronounced dead. The medical examiner ruled their deaths accidental, caused by smoke inhalation and thermal injuries.
- Around 11 p.m. on Monday, the neighbor heard a boom and saw flames.
- Firefighters responded and found the couple, pulling them from the home.
- The couple was pronounced dead at the hospital.
The players
Juan Hinojosa
A 75-year-old man who lived with his wife Guillermina Pinelo-Hinojosa and tragically perished in the house fire while searching for her.
Guillermina Pinelo-Hinojosa
A 75-year-old woman who was trapped in a closet and died in the house fire alongside her husband Juan Hinojosa.
John Hinojosa
The son of Juan Hinojosa from his first marriage, who returned to the charred home and recognized where rescuers found his father.
What they’re saying
“Whenever they separated, I think he was looking for her. He loved her.”
— John Hinojosa, Son of Juan Hinojosa (expressnews.com)
“He always told me to never look down on anybody, or always help people in need, because we could be there one day.”
— John Hinojosa, Son of Juan Hinojosa (expressnews.com)
What’s next
The San Antonio Fire Department is continuing to investigate the cause of the fire to determine if any safety improvements or public awareness campaigns are needed to prevent similar tragedies.
The takeaway
This heartbreaking incident underscores the importance of fire safety, especially for older adults living independently, and the need for families to have clear emergency plans in place. The Hinojosa family's story also serves as a reminder to cherish our loved ones while we can.
