The Martinez family, who operate Taqueria Martinez food truck, suffered a devastating loss when their food truck was destroyed by fire in the early morning hours of June 21. The fire is still under investigation. The fire has led to a GoFundMe to help the family rebuild.
“We will not be in our spot anymore. Something happened last night and it is still under investigation,” Guillermo Martinez-Juarez, owner of the truck said in an emotional video on social media the day of the fire. “The food truck. This is how I woke up at 3 o’clock in the morning. It hurts deep, because all the hard work we put in is gone. The camera shows the fire started right around 12:50. There were some activities, like I said, it is still under investigation. We’re gonna find out who did it or how. I’m still looking at the cameras, still looking at everything. This is how it looks now. It’s going to come back stronger, stronger than ever. Sorry, it’s hard to talk because I am too emotional.
Martinez-Juaraz, speaking through tears, explained that the family was going through multiple emotions, but that he was not blaming anyone.
“I’m not here to blame anybody, but we’re, we’re looking at the cameras, it’s under investigation, and we’re gonna find out,” Martinez-Juarez said. “We have the police, we got the fire department, but they couldn’t do anything. We can’t operate right now.”
There was an outpouring of sympathy with many asking how they could offer assistance.
“We have to figure out some way we can come together and help this guy because his food is absolutely phenomenal,” Mark S. Hammel posted on social media. “I was literally almost sitting there every day, so we got to figure something out.”
Sara Heinicke commented that even if there was insurance on the truck, it takes time for them to provide funding and that every day the truck was not in business was money not coming in to support the family.
“My heart breaks for you and I know the community will absolutely come together and help you get back on your feet,” Danielle Woerner-Hyland said.
On the GoFundMe page, which has already raised $460 of $8,000, Martinez-Juarez wrote that it was his dream to own and operate a food trailer or restaurant. He spent 15 years working in various restaurants until he was able to open Taqueria Martinez in 2023. His wife, Melissa, is disabled and unable to work, so the food truck supported the family which includes four children – Natalia, 9; Noah, 6; Nayeli, 4; and Nyla, 1.
“In addition, our family minivan was also damaged by the fire and is not considered safe to drive,” Martinez-Juarez said. “We are working with the insurance company to have it repaired. At this time, we are asking for help to support our family with daily expenses, monthly bills and to help repair the minivan. As of now, the family has no primary source of income, and they are unsure when they will be able to reopen the food truck.
“This goes out to the Police Department of Milford for the quick response, and the fire department also for the quick response, and their hard work. And it was intense Sunday,” Martinez-Juarez said in a social media a few days after the fire. “It was crazy, and I wanted to appreciate you guys for saving my pickup truck, because I thought it was not possible, and you guys did it, and I appreciate that. Thank you so much for saving the truck, and it would have been worse with the truck attached. I know it was hard, and you guys did it, so I wanted just to say thank you so much, and you know it was crazy.”
Martinez-Juarez also extended gratitude to his employees, Jisel, Ashley and Janet for their support after the tragedy. In addition to the GoFundMe, donations can also be sent via Zelle to Taqueria Martinez LLC (phone 3029301900); Venmo @guillermo-Martinez-Juarez; Apple Pay 3029301900.
