Video Story
Watch VideoFamily loses house in wildland fire
Story By: Abby Lane
Source: KOAA
Still in disbelief, Ray and Katrina Doudna look at the spot where their home once stood. They were away when yesterday’s wildland fire ripped through eastern El Paso County, burning thousands of acres, dozens of structures and everything they own.
“Looks like our lives are a do over,” said Ray Doudna.
Their daughter Erica was home at the time, checking on their three dogs.
“I went to the door and there was a cop there and he was like you have to get out of here there's a grass fire,” she said. “When I looked out, I saw all of these horses running around out here and I knew my dogs would chase after them so I left them in the home and left.”
After being evacuated, Erica watched the house go up in flames, catching some of it on home video. In minutes, she said, the house was gone.
“It was so weird,” she said. “It was almost not possible.”
Just next door, J.D. Woofter thought for sure his house was burned too. The fire came within a few feet, but just missed it.
“We were relieved at that, but at the same time it's horrible to see someone lose everything they've had their whole entire lives,” he said.
It will now take the Doudna’s a long time to rebuild what they lost in an instant.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
