Now, as the wood stain dries on the Emmett Township home's exterior and the "Andersen" stickers are peeled from the windows, the pair are planning a pig roast for Oct. 23 to celebrate the rebuilding of their home.

The fire began in the late afternoon of Oct. 30, 2004, Mel said, after the couple had gone to get dinner at Lakeview Square Mall. Twenty minutes after leaving, they got a call. The neighbors had heard the fire blow out the home's windows, Mel said.

And then he had to watch that home go up in smoke — burn like paper, as he put it. He said that after the fire, he wasn't sure if he had it in him to rebuild the place.

At nine o'clock the following morning, some friends gave them $250 they had gathered so the couple and their son, a senior at Harper Creek High School last year, could buy clothes. Another friend leant them a motor home so they could stay on the property. Churches donated dishes. Friends started bringing them dinner, or taking them out for meals.

The new home, based on the plans from the old design, feels both modern and rustic. For instance, track lighting is attached above the kitchen's smooth-topped electrical stove, while just feet away, above the dining room table, there is a chandelier made of faux deer antlers.

Now that the home is finished, the Swancharas want to say a big "thank you" to everyone who helped give them strength to get through the experience; hence the pig roast.

Dan said he might not be able to send invitations to everyone he hopes can come. Understandable, considering how many people he would like to invite.

That includes the fire departments, members of area churches, and faculty from the Harper Creek High School football team who offered support to their son.

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