Residential fire in Winchester leaves woman homeless

 A Winchester woman lost her home to fire Saturday afternoon as winter storm conditions made firefighting efforts more difficult for crews.

Carmen Rodriguez ran from her job at Queso Times restaurant when she learned her house was on fire. The Winchester Fire Department was dispatched to the scene around 3:40 p.m.

“The first fire crew got on scene – had a working structure fire and found the majority of the fire to be in the rear of the house,” said Jason Keller with the Winchester Fire Department.

The winter storm conditions created additional obstacles for firefighters responding to the blaze.

Rodriguez, who came to the United States three years ago, now faces starting over after losing everything in the fire. Her children depend on her income, according to translator Tomas Villa.

“Losing everything is like a restart for everything on her plans of being here to help her family,” Villa said.

While officials urged people to stay off the roads during the winter storm, one Winchester restaurant remained committed to serving customers.

Taste of China owner Bin Yang and his son Steven shoveled snow from their parking lot Saturday to keep the business accessible.

“We wanted to stay faithful to our local community and maintain consistent hours each and every day, even in something like this, so our locals and our community know where they can stop by for a quick and delicious meal,” Steven Yang said.

Steven Yang said the restaurant has never closed in its 15 years of operation, crediting his father’s dedication to customer service.

“He wants to make sure everyone has a great and positive experience – which is why he is out here by himself shoveling our parking lot right now,” Steven Yang said.

Credit: Jackson Plank/WKYT