On April Fool’s Day, the Brendon and Tahnee Cook family in Raymond, Idaho, was spared from tragedy as a house fire miraculously extinguished itself, leaving the family temporarily homeless but understanding that miracles do happen.

Raymond is a neighborhood in Geneva on the western edge of Bear Lake County near the Wyoming border.

“Well, to say it’s been an emotional week is an understatement,” Tahnee stated a few days after the fire. “After we left home on Monday morning, the circuit board in our electric cook stove melted down and blew up. Our house is severely smoke-damaged and we lost most of everything in our home. It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions.”

Tahnee explained that her dad, Michael Saxton, was taking his morning walk along Raymond Road at about 11 a.m. when he smelled smoke. When he investigated the smell, he discovered that the fire had already put itself out but the damage was extensive. He called Tahnee and the family headed home to what could have been a disaster.

“I do know that with every trial comes a decision — to be bitter or to be better,” Tahnee said. “As I’ve pondered our circumstances, we have been so greatly blessed and I’m truly grateful.”

Tahnee then listed the miracles: Nobody was hurt. The house is still standing. Brendon’s parents had just finished renovating an older home in Cokeville, Wyoming, so their family moved right in. It was at the beginning of spring break for Tahnee, who teaches science at Bear Lake High School, so she had time to clean and salvage a few items, including most of their clothes. Their insurance will help to replace the burnt area and carpeting and will help with the smoke damage.

“The fire marshal said there’s no reason the house should be standing,” Tahnee added. “Because our cabinets are old and made with real hardwood and have many layers of paint, the flame extinguished. (The fire marshal) even told me to go buy a lottery ticket. My girls, Harley (age 3) and Texee (age 1) miss home and don’t quite understand but they are adjusting. And we are finding ways to make this a good and fun experience for them.”

The final miracle, Tahnee explained, is the number of family, friends and neighbors who are helping them. Bear Lake High School held a fundraiser for the family on Monday and Whitney Bytheway, a Geneva neighbor, has organized a “Benefit Auction for Brendon and Tahnee Cook House Fire.” Many of the donated items are listed on the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1594999644595545/. Bidding began on Monday and closes on April 16.