A first responder on the other side of an emergency after losing San Elizario home to fire

EL PASO, Texas — A San Elizario man and one-time first responder lost his dad to cancer and his family's home to a fire within one month.

In March, Alarcon Jr. lost his father, Carlos Alarcon senior to cancer. With high medical bills, the Alarcon family removed the insurance from their home to save money.

Alarcon’s family home became unliveable after a fire spread from a neighbor's home.

After volunteering his time as a first responder, Carlos Alarcon never thought he'd be on the other end of an emergency.

"You know usually a lot of people would call me for help and now it's different to feel in this situation where I actually need a little bit of help," said Alarcon.

"The fire spread through the roof which means that most of the roof needs to be replaced and you know the ceiling about 2/3 of the house will also need to be replaced," said Alarcon.

Alarcon has responded to emergency calls just like the one he experienced.

"It was definitely different you know I was a volunteer firefighter in Fabens so you know I know exactly what the families had gone through you know always as a firefighter it's preservation of life you know preservation of property," said Alarcon.

Michael Sarabia, a friend who set up a go fund me on behalf of the Alarcon family says how important helping the Alarcon family was to him.

"Carlos has done enough for the community that I think now it's time to give back to someone like him," said Sarabia.

"You know I'm a paramedic. I'm used to getting calls to help other people, and now you know I'm on the other side of that," said Alarcon

Alarcon says he has a bigger appreciation for first responders after what he and his family endured.

"After seeing my friends from the different volunteer fire departments, it actually as soon as I have a little bit more time that's my goal is to return to the volunteer fire service because you know I see the value off them being able to serve the community and I respect them for that," said Alarcon.

To donate to the Alarcon family, you can click here to get to their go fund me page.