Our House Fire: Ten Year Anniversary

Ten years ago, today we had a house fire after only being in our new house for two days! Here is a look back at that horrific event.
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In addition to this ten year anniversary video, here are some photos that show the damaged rooms -- and then, how they were restored to livable spaces again ...
www.flickr.com/photos/dannysd...

[@joemoore8054]

I have been a firefighter for over 30 years and have been to hundreds of house fires like yours. It is a very overwilling experience to the homeowners, and sad to see. Happy you had great support and rebuilt.

[@DannyEngesser]

On behalf of homeowners like us ... THANK YOU for your service as a firefighter. It is because of dedicated firefighters like you that we didn't loose everything.

[@llbigwave]

Only 36 hours after moving in? Wow. So thankful no one was injured! The house and contents can be repaired/replaced. Lives, not so much.

[@WayneM1961]

I admire you for rebuilding and moving back in. I don't think I would ever want to live in the same house again regardless of what started the fire. All the best from here "across the pond" in the UK

[@patricialutz2092]

As the daughter of a former Fire Chief,may I say I am so grateful you made it out safely. I witnessed many house fires, as I went along with Dad sometimes,so glad to see you rebuilt,and I wish you all the best of happiness and good health in the years to come❤

[@fredbiden868]

sad for your loss..but happy for your recovery..and it was not a total loss..so you can rebuild...

[@davidwaterhouse1181]

House fires are terrible.As a fire fighter you get a snap shot of that family home life.I was a firefighter for many years.I have been to many house fires.The emotional loss is very high.They are emotionally connected to there family home,and personal belongings.This why so important to take great care of the family,and there belongings.

[@dougdiplacido2406]

So sorry that this happened but also so glad that you were able to rebuild and no one was hurt. Great video.

[@MrJbold25]

That must have been an extremely difficult experience, I’m glad everyone was okay

[@derrickguffey4775]

Was this a chimney fire? And so soon after moving in with below freezing temperatures outside must have been horrifying glad to know there was no loss of life. So sad this had to happen.

[@DannyEngesser]

Correct, the fire started in the chimney (I could hear it crackling in the wall above the fireplace). Through word of mouth, we later learned the previous owners usually went south for the winter (so probably rarely used the fireplace) and there was also work done on that side of the house (we believe due to termites) within the year prior. We had the fireplace going all day long, so it probably never had a real "workout" until that cold December day. To have this happen so soon after moving in we felt quite defeated because after a rough search, we finally found a house we liked, but so thankful we all made it out ok.

[@derrickguffey4775]

@@DannyEngesser why didn't the previous owner have the house inspected so you would have known about it and could probably have prevented this tragedy? I'm very glad however everyone made it out and hopefully things have gotten better for you and your family.

[@davidbussa4272]

looks like you had gas logs??? Didnt think they could start a chimney fire due to no creosote.@@DannyEngesser

[@postalfnj]

it will be one year for us April 14 we lost everything

[@michaelnoonan8070]

So sad to here this

[@lucascoster9765]

do you know what caused it?

[@reagantyler574]

It was the chimney.