BAYTOWN, Texas – A Baytown couple who were almost finished rebuilding their retirement home after Hurricane Ike flooded it has to find a new place to live after a fire destroyed the house, KPRC Local 2 reported Sunday.
Elving and Erline Ellis lived in tents and in their car outside the home. They weren't at the house when the Nov. 8 fire broke out. They said water damage affected cables in the home and caused thefire.
Recommended Videos
"We came back to do some work on the house. We had no idea the house had burned down. It was a shock to see as came around the corner when we couldn't see roof, "said Elving Ells.
"It was really devastating to see the house not standing after all our efforts of rebuilding went up in flames," said Erline Ellis.
The couple spent hours looking at the ashes, mesmerized by what's left of their dream home. They have found the strength to have a positive attitude.
"I think we will live happily ever after, but it'll take time," said Elving Ellis.
The couple lost everything, but they said what hurt the most was losing their wedding pictures and pictures of their grandchildren.
Their son is in Iraq. He came home to help them after Ike. Elving Ellis said his son was devastated when he was told about the fire.
The couple is living with friends and patiently waiting for their insurance company to assess the damage to the home.