South Fremont wrestlers help fellow athlete after home burns down
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ST. ANTHONY — The South Fremont High School wrestling team gathered to help a fellow wrestler after a tragedy this week.
On Sunday, the home of South Fremont wrestler Michael Ayon and his parents, Luis and Lorena Bueno burned down on North 2100 East in St. Anthony.
Monica Nunez, Ayon’s sister, was woken up by the blaze.
“I was… sleeping at the time, I heard something explode and I live just right across. That’s when I saw my mother’s house go up in flames,” Nunez said.
Fire officials say the Bueno’s single-wide trailer was fully engulfed in flames around 12:30 a.m. A Fremont County deputy had seen the flames from a distance while on patrol and called the fire in. Two fire trucks from the South Fremont Fire District and two water tenders were sent to the fire which took over three hours to extinguish. The cause of the fire is still undetermined.
Thankfully, no one was home at the time. The Buenos had left for a trip to Mexico that day, and Ayon was participating in a state wrestling tournament in Pocatello. He was also staying the night with his sister-in-law Amanda Nunez.
“Thank God he’d stayed home with me,” Amanda Nunez said.
Wrestlers on the South Fremont High School wrestling team heard about their teammate’s troubles and came to his aid.
Some 30 wrestlers along with coaches, wrestler’s parents and neighbors have pitched in throughout the week to clean up what remains of the home.
“It’s kind of cool to see that we all can come together and help each other when we have trials,” 18-year-old wrestler Matt Stewart said.
Coaches Jed Clark, and Franklyn Tavarez have been instrumental in organizing cleanup efforts.
“We have quite a few of our wrestling parents who are donating time and bringing different equipment in to help out,” Franklyn Tavarez said. “Right now we’re just trying to make the process go as smooth as possible for our wrestler.”
The family is grateful for all the help they’ve received and are continuing to accept any help as they hope to raise enough money for another trailer.
“Even if it’s a used trailer we need to get… a home because (they’ll) have places to stay but it won’t be home,” Amanda Nunez said.
A GoFund me has been organized for the family to put toward another home.