Imagine walking out of your workplace and seeing your home burning, from about a mile away.
That’s exactly what happened to a Centre County combat veteran and his family of eight in Spring Township on Monday.
Wednesday, they’re getting a look at the damage and learning what’s salvageable.
“When you step into your house after this happens, you just feel numb,” Michael Wenrick said.
His home on Whitman Circle is a melted mess.
“It’s almost like you’re walking into somebody else’s house,” he said.
It’s Wenrick’s childhood home and the place he raised his own family. The smell of smoke and ashes and some material items are all that’s left.
“You just can’t help but remember all the times that you had with your family in different areas and had friends over and sleepovers when I was a kid and sleepovers my kids had,” he said. “There’s so much history in this house.”
The family’s beloved yellow lab didn’t make it out. She’s buried in the backyard, close to home.
“You come back stronger, you build it bigger,” Wenrick said.
The family plans to rebuild on the same lot. They thank the community for the outpouring of support.
“This is like a freeway through here, people stopping by with donations of food or drinks or gift cards or money,” he said. “I honestly don’t know that you would find a better place in the country to live as far as the people just loving each other around here and caring.”
A fundraising page has been set up for the family. To make a donation, click here.