JD Fogas 
Luz (Lucy) Martinez, a cherished member of the Vicksburg community, has been a familiar face at The Wok in the Pemberton mall for years. Known for her warm demeanor and generosity, Lucy has touched countless lives through her work and kindness. However, what began as a day of family celebration quickly unraveled into chaos, leaving her family with only their lives and an overwhelming sense of loss. Now, the Vicksburg community is being called upon to rally behind a beloved local figure in her time of need.
The day everything changed
Thanksgiving morning started early for Lucy Martinez. Like many families, she rose early to prepare the turkey before returning to bed for a short rest. However, her plans were interrupted when her son, Alex, reported feeling unwell and needed to visit the emergency room.
“I left, and as soon as I got to the hospital, my daughter called me and told me there was smoke coming out of the oven,” Lucy recalled.
A family’s frantic efforts to contain the fire
While Lucy rushed back home, her family faced a growing crisis. Alex, still at the hospital, received a series of panicked updates. “My wife and my babies were there on Thanksgiving morning, and they were about to start cooking the turkey, but the stove started smoking out of nowhere,” Alex explained.
His wife noticed flames emerging from a small crack between the stove and the wall. Despite the danger, she tried to extinguish the fire while ensuring everyone’s safety. “My sister grabbed all of the babies because it was her, my wife, my two boys, and my niece. Luckily, they were able to get out,” Alex shared.
Armed with a fire extinguisher, Alex’s wife made a brave attempt to control the flames, but the fire’s source proved inaccessible. Lucy later learned there had been a loud “pop” from inside the wall, which prompted the family to call emergency services.
The tragedy escalates
“The ambulance and the police, they were there, but the fire department took longer to get there. [By] the time they got there, the house was already full of smoke, and [they were] not able to do much,” Lucy recalled.
The flames consumed much of the home. According to Alex, the home has become a total loss.
“The whole kit kitchen got engulfed. The living room ended up getting engulfed as well,” he stated. “they count it as a total loss because the fire department had to climb onto the roof. It (the water) sprayed down from the attic, so pretty much everything got doused with water.”
What happens now?
For now, Lucy Martinez and her family are receiving temporary support from organizations like the Red Cross, but the road to recovery is daunting.
“They told me for two weeks in a hotel. I don’t know from there,” Lucy shared, her voice breaking. “I don’t know nothing about the insurance, what they’re gonna pay me now because they said until they do the investigation…”
The loss goes far beyond material possessions. “It’s not just material things, it’s memories. It’s hard,” Lucy said, fighting back tears.
How you can help
A GoFundMe page has been set up to assist Lucy and her family as they begin rebuilding their lives. Donations of material items can also be dropped off at The Wok.
The Heart of Vicksburg urges the community to come together and lend a hand. This is a time to show the strength of community bonds and support a family in need.
If you are able, please consider contributing to help Lucy recover. Together, we can make a difference.
About The Author
Tessa Elizabeth Scandizzo 
Heart of Vicksburg Staff 
Kelley Branch 
