‘Sometimes, life throws you curveballs’: Northeast Side family staying positive despite losing home in fire

The family says a smoke alarm and perfect timing saved their lives

SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio family is staying positive about their future following a devastating two-story house fire early on Monday morning.

Patrick Boyce and Morgan Seabert, the homeowners, were asleep when they say the fire alarm went off.

Related: SAFD: Heavy flames destroy 2-story home on far Northeast Side; no one hurt

“We woke up at one in the morning and I was like, ‘The fire alarm is going off,’” Seabert said. “He (Boyce) was like, ‘It’ll turn off eventually.’ Then I looked out the back window and I was like, ‘No it’s not! It is on fire!’”

The couple said they were lucky to be woken up and get out of the home quickly.

“We ran down the stairs and when we were running out we could hear our back door falling in,” Seabert said. “We were very thankful it started in the back because we might not have made it out.”

When San Antonio fire officials arrived they saw flames shooting out the roof, the back and both sides of the house.

“It was just surreal,” Boyce said.

The couple was able to laugh and stay positive despite losing almost everything.

They said even their 3-year-old son was able to see the good in a devastating situation.

“Our three-year-old was stoked about them,” Seabert said. “He doesn’t know about his toys yet, but he was like ‘That’s cool! Look at that!’ I was like, ‘Oh yeah..definitely cool!’ It definitely makes it easier though.”

The couple said they have 96 hours to collect what they can from the home before it has to be demolished.

They spent all Monday morning and afternoon doing so.

“We were able to salvage some family sentiments,” Seabert said. “A couple of clothes. Not too much. I don’t know what they smell like yet but we have some clothes,” she and her fiancé laughed.

Seabert said they are currently staying with relatives who are raising money to help them financially.

The cause of the fire is still unknown.

Seabert said they are thankful to be alive.

“It is just stuff,” Seabert said. “Everything is replaceable. You can’t replace people’s lives. You can’t replace your pets. But you can replace your stuff. Get up and move on. Sometimes, life throws you curveballs. It happens.”

If you would like to help the family, you can contact them with the information below:

Email: morganseabert@gmail.com

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About the Authors:

Japhanie Gray joined 10 News as an anchor in March 2022.

Joe Arredondo is a photojournalist at KSAT 12.