“We were off the ground, but the garage has a cement floor,” Mrs. Ero said.

Culminating their Thanksgiving disaster, Mr. Ero was taken to CVPH Medical Center, where he was admitted with smoke inhalation and a collapsed lung.

“He hasn’t even seen the house yet,” Mrs. Ero said. “He knows it’s gone, from what the family has told him, but he doesn’t know the extent.”

Mr. Ero was released from the hospital Tuesday.

They believe the fire may have started with the Christmas tree lights.

Mrs. Ero is still reeling from the holiday disaster as she stays with family.

Bouncing back isn’t going to be as easy as it used to be, she said.

“(We’re) not young enough to start over, but I know that we have to.”

Paul and Brenda Eros and Alberta Baker have received some assistance from the North Country Chapter of the American Red Cross, their neighbors and family but still need everything except clothing.

Brenda and Paul Ero can be reached at either 572-4077 or 834-5212.