Fire destroys North Fort Myers home on Sunday

Reporter: Gail Levy Writer: Drew Hill
Published: Updated:

Fire ripped through a North Fort Myers home on Sunday morning near Flynn and Evergreen Roads, and neighbors describe it as intense.

John Zalenski lives in a camper trailer on the property, however, he said he was asleep in the house when the flames caught the home on fire.

“There’s some things that happen in your life that if it wasn’t for God, you wouldn’t be here. This is one of those times,” Zalenski said.

In this instance, God showed up in the form of his neighbor, Renee. “But for her to wake up… and then to take the forethought to come and get me up. She’s putting herself in danger. That’s true, friends,” he said.

Zalenski said he was in the home that caught fire and Renee was able to get him up and out with just seconds to spare.

The entire home belonging to Marisa Urey has now burned to the ground and everything inside was charred.

“That was scary. If it wasn’t for Renee waking me up. I wouldn’t be here today. I’d be dead,” Zalenski said.

Now, he’s working on getting back in good health. He suffered severe smoke inhalation during the fire. “It’s like having a bag over your head and trying to breathe,” said Zalenski.

Nevertheless, he’s grateful for every breath he gets to continue taking.

CORRECTION: WINK News incorrectly reported that John Zalenski’s house was burned down in the fire. Zalenski was living in a trailer/camper on the property but it was not burned or damaged by the fire. Marisa Urey is the owner of the home that burned down. We apologize for the error.

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