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REXBURG, Idaho — When Misty and Wade Gordon were out of town Friday for a funeral, they weren’t expecting to return to the charred remains of their home.
The Gordons were in Utah for Misty’s grandmother's funeral when they received a call from one of their five children saying their Rexburg house was on fire.
“The first question I asked was her was, ‘Is everybody out? Where is everybody?’ Wade told EastIdahoNews.com. “I had to ask her three times because I wanted to be sure.”
Wade told his children to call 911 and go to the neighbor's house.
“We have some wonderful neighbors and I knew that I could count on them to help,” Wade said.
Firefighters responded to the home and spent hours battling the flames. Almost everything was destroyed, but Misty says crews were able to salvage a keepsake for each of their children — four hope chests and a special quilt.
“It was not easy, and all the items were in different bedrooms,” Misty said. “But they were able to get those things out after the fire had been going for several hours. It is a little miracle.”
When the Gordons returned from Utah hours later, they realized how intense the fire was but knew it could have been a lot worse.
“There are a lot of other families that aren’t as fortunate as we are, to have all of our children alive and well,” Misty said.
Since the fire, the Gordons have been overwhelmed with support from the community.
The Madison High School basketball teams held a fundraiser for the family. Several businesses have donated to the family, including Circle of Love — which donated a dress so the Gordons' daughter could attend a high school dance. Many others have provided food, clothes and other items.
“This is pretty incredible,” Wade said. “It’s been devastating and overwhelming, but people are amazing.”
“Just the outpouring of love makes my heart want to burst," Misty added. "I’m so thankful to this community and the wonderful area we live, that we get to call home.”
Investigators are still working to determine the cause of the fire. The Gordons are staying in a friend’s rental home and plan to rebuild on the same site.
“Our family’s going to move forward, and we’re just so thankful for everything we have,” Wade said.
