Harmony House residents settle into new but familiar home
The foundation, landscape, plumbing and in-floor heat are all that remain of the original house that burned
"Superior Rehab was absolutely wonderful with us," Harmony Houses owner
Kotter had long ago contracted with the
"We didn't know we were going to evacuate for nine months," Kotter said.
However, the slow progress to recovery did have one benefit. Kotter said when Harmony House I was forced to evacuate during the
"It's been a long haul," said
Following the lightning strike, which burned everything above the ceiling, inspectors made their way through the house, which had started to mold because of the wet weather. Between the cost of repairing the fire damage and remediating the mold, the decision was made to demolish the original house and build new on the original foundation.
However, just getting started took time. Susens said they were ready to begin demolition at one point but the insurance company stopped it until they could finish their work.
"They didn't release us to demo until after
Building the new house proved difficult last winter because of snow slowed work and deep cold prevented nail guns from working properly, Susens said.
"It just kind of sat until it warmed up," Kotter said. "Once they got it framed in, they could put ... heater blowers in here so they could actually work on it."
Susens said it seemed bare inside the home for a long time, but once the electrical and ventilation was in and inspected, and the Sheetrock started to go in, things started to move pretty fast.
Once the building occupancy permits were issued in late June, Susens said they were able to start setting up the house and residents' rooms with their belongings, which had been cleaned by
Kotter credited the first department's decision to cut holes in the ceilings over the hallways during the fire -- allowing the water and mess to spill there rather than in residents rooms -- with saving most of people's belongings.
When the state occupancy permit was issued
They didn't quite have all of their stuff at the house yet, but they were willing to trade watching TV in the living room for a couple of days to enjoy home cooked meals in their air conditioned home, Susans said.
"It's nice to be home," said
An open house is planned for
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