Dec 23, 2007 7:45 pm US/Central
Plano Family Comes Home To Ashes
Click here to view photos of the damage.
PLANO (CBS 11 News) ―
A fast-moving fire destroyed a family's home in Plano two days before Christmas.
"The damage is unbelievable," said homeowner Arif Choudhury as he surveyed what was left of his home on the 8100 block of Jordan Circle. "It looks just like a movie."
The Choudhurys were having dinner with family in Dallas when the fire occurred. A neighbor called Choudhury and his wife to break the news.
"My wife cried and cried. My friends were trying to calm her down," Choudhury said.
His wife, two children and mother-in-law had lived in the house over the last eleven years.
He and his brothers searched the house looking for anything they could salvage. Few of the items in the home were recognizable and almost everything was a shade of gray or brown.
"We have a video cassette from childhood, but all pictures, all memories have gone up," said his brother, Suhal Choudhurry.
Harsh winds helped move the flames from room to room.
"The flames were… uncontrollable," said Demetria Loizou, a neighbor who witnessed the fire.
The fire burned through the drywall, leaving the inner structure of the home exposed. Light from a large hole through the roof showed that most of the family's belongings were just ashes on the floor.
"I'm thinking it's a total disaster," said Mustafa Ahsan, Choudhury brother-in-law. "I find nothing to recover."
Despite the damage, Choudhury said he is thankful no one was hurt. "That's the big thing," he said. "It's a blessing it didn't happen."
"I know that they'll bounce back, but nothing is ever easy in these situations," said Loizou. "I'm sure we'll all be there for them."
The Choudhurys will stay with family and friends until they find out if they can rebuild their home.
The Plano Fire Department is still investigating the cause of the fire.
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