With cop's help, family tries to rebuild after Montclair fire

MONTCLAIR (KABC) -- It's been three weeks since a recycling yard in Montclair went up in an [url HREF="http://abc7.com/news/large-fire-erupts-at-metal-recycling-center-in-montclair/1275927/" TARGET="" REL=""]intense blaze [/url]that destroyed several nearby homes and businesses.[br /][br /]The Rodriguez family lost everything in the fire: their home, their car, their possessions.[br /][br /]Now they're struggling to rebuild their lives and raise money to find a new home.[br /][br /]They're getting some help in that task from Montclair police Officer Eric Rivera.[br /][br /]During the fire, Rivera went house-to-house in the neighborhood, warning people to evacuate. Teresa's son, Armando Aranda, was home asleep at the time.[br /][br /][url HREF="http://abc7.com/news/montclair-family-describes-frightening-escape-from-raging-fire/1277500/[br /]" TARGET="" REL=""][b]MORE: Montclair family describes frightening escape from raging fire[br /][/b][br /][/url][br /]"I just remember a cop knocking on the door, opening it up and telling me to get my shoes on," he recalled.[br /][br /]But Rivera didn't stop at making sure everyone was out safely.[br /][br /]With the Rodriguez family now homeless, Rivera took $400 out of his own pocket to help them get a place to stay at the Welcome Inn Motel - and the motel owner came up with the rest.[br /][br /]And now Rivera has started a [url HREF="https://www.gofundme.com/29aun8y4" TARGET="" REL="nofollow"]GoFundMe page [/url]for the Rodriguez family.[br /][br /]"We have it set at $30,000, but even if we could get half that she would be immensely happy," Rivera said.[br /][br /]Rodriguez says she just wants to feel at home somewhere again.[br /][Ads /][br /]"To be able to call someplace home, that's right now my dream for my boys," she said.