A Pennsylvania family’s excitement turned to devastation when they received news of a house fire while watching a playoff game in Philadelphia. The Sandstroms, residents of York County, were enjoying the Eagles versus Rams match on January 19th when they got a call about their home being engulfed in flames. Despite the festive atmosphere at the stadium, Derek Sandstrom had to face the grim reality that his property was destroyed. The family rushed back home during a snowstorm and found nothing but remnants of what used to be their cherished residence. Fortunately, no one was inside the house when the fire started, and the community has rallied around them to offer support.

The incident occurred on a chilly Sunday afternoon in Newberry Township. A neighbor alerted Derek Sandstrom during the first quarter of the football game, informing him about the fire. As the family received photos from neighbors, they made the difficult decision to leave the game early and head back home. Upon arrival, they discovered that the fire department had been battling the blaze since around 3:30 PM local time. The fire quickly escalated to a two-alarm situation, with firefighters facing challenging conditions due to icy weather. One firefighter even suffered a non-life-threatening injury after slipping on the ice.

Fire officials later determined that the cause of the fire was likely an unintentional chimney fire originating from a wood-burning stove in the basement. The entire structure, including furniture and exterior walls, was almost entirely consumed by the flames. “It’s a total loss,” recounted Derek as he walked through the remains of his home. “Most of the house is gone; there isn’t any furniture left. Where you used to see a wall, now you see the backyard.” The family is currently staying with relatives and receiving assistance from their church community.

The unexpected turn of events has left the Sandstroms in a state of disbelief. Despite the overwhelming loss, they find solace in their faith and the support from their community. “We have faith in God to get us through all this,” said Derek. In addition to the emotional support, a GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help the family rebuild their lives. Although they missed most of the game, they managed to catch highlights the following day, where the Eagles secured a victory over the Rams. The resilience of the Sandstroms and the outpouring of community support exemplify the strength found in unity during challenging times.