A family of six is finding hope and gratitude days after a fire destroyed their new home.
Fire investigators said a fire started on the back porch of the home in the early hours of May 6.
The Holdhusens had moved in to the house, which they spent over a year designing and planning, just two days before.
READ: Stilwell family's brand-new mansion destroyed in fire
Overnight, as they were sleeping, investigators say a hot chiminea — a type of outdoor fireplace — on the back porch started a fire.
Family members and friends had used the chiminea earlier in the night while they celebrated the new home.
"It was about as big of a nightmare as you can think of. It was completely engulfed in flames," said Brad Holdhusen, a father of four. "The flames had already climbed entirely up two stories of the wall outside."
Days after the fire, the Holdhusens are now staying at Brad's mother-in-law's home.
Community members and several businesses have donated clothes, mattresses, blankets and food to help the Holdhusen family recover.
After experiencing the heartbreak of losing their home, the Holdhusens say the fire is not the end of their story together.
"A house does not anchor us," Brad Holdhusen said. "Our faith and the love of our community are getting us through this."
Holdhusen said none of his family members suffered any injuries in the fire. Rather than focus on what was lost, the family is now appreciating what they still have.
"The ability to hug, kiss, and love each other is what we're grateful for," he said.
Holdhusen explained that his wife, Kristin, and their four children continue to find hope in each other.
Although losing a home is not easy, he said many people are going through tougher times, especially on Mother's Day.
"Many other people on Mother's Day don't have the opportunity to be with a loved one," he said. "We want the focus to be on them."
Holdhusen said the family plans to build a new home at the same site of last week's fire.
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Tom Dempsey can be reached at Tom.Dempsey@KSHB.com.
