One Leawood family experienced a scary ending to 2017, when their home went up in flames on Sunday night.
According to the Leawood Fire Department, the fire broke out shortly before 5 pm at the house at 112th Terrace and Rosewood St. When crews arrived on scene, the roof was totally engulfed in flames.
It was Rachel Herman's childhood home, built by the Lamberts in 1993. She was inside with family and friends when the fire started.
"My dad and my brother ran outside and said the roof's on fire, everybody get out. So we all grabbed a kid and grabbed a dog and got out," Herman explained.
As they rushed out, firefighters ran in, battling freezing weather and subzero winds to extinguish the flames.
"We have to be cognizant of the fact that we're going to encounter slip and fall hazards too, because everything's going to freeze up on us," Leawood Fire Department Deputy Chief Jarrett Hawley said of the weather challenges.
While firefighters battled hot spots, a neighbor opened his home to the Lambert family.
Although Herman realizes most things can be replaced, she couldn't help but think of the Bible she has had for ten years that was on the second floor of the house.
There was something else left behind too.
"My wedding ring. I really hope I can find that and it's perfect, but we'll see," she said.
Although Herman's childhood home was destroyed, she and her family are thankful no one was injured.
"It's very sad to have lost all your memories, but we're all out, we're all safe. The Lord is good," she said.
Investigators are still trying to determine what caused the fire.
Leawood Fire Department is battling a huge house fire in Leawood, Kansas. Police officials just put up police caution tape as the fire continues to be hard to put out. @41actionnews pic.twitter.com/L40vvOZfqM
— Darrius Smith (@iamDSMITH86) December 31, 2017
Streets in the area were blocked off while crews put out the fire.
