This week the word “thankful” has a new meaning for one family after losing their home to a fire right after Hurricane Ian. The Mizen family lost everything they owned in that fire, and the father was severely burned, but with the help of their church community, they were not left homeless. The damage is extensive. The exterior of the Mizen family home was burnt, and the inside was destroyed with debris and belongings scattered on the floor. Mizen family home after the fire. (Credit: WINK News) “It’s just like a moment captured in time. The stuffed animals in her room are still in the corner, you know, because she was far away from the heat source,” said Gunther Mizen, father of the family. Gunther, his wife Michele, and their two kids, Zoey and Kellan, lived the last three years in the home before the fire. Their home even survived Hurricane Ian. The Saturday after the storm roared through, Gunther woke up and immediately knew something was wrong. “I kind of sat up, and I looked outside, and I just saw orange. Like an orange glow out there,” said Mizen. He kicked open the side door, burning his foot, to see his house on fire, so he ran back to his family to get everyone out. “He was yelling get out of the house. We got to get out of the house. And I slept through the fire alarm I didn’t even hear it until he said get out of the house,” said Michelle Mizen. Everyone made it outside alive, including the family’s dogs, Pup Pup and Gizmo. Gunther Mizen. Gunther suffered serious burns, forcing him to spend four days in the burn zone in Tampa Now, his hands will stay in compression gloves for up to a year, and the burns on his arm and legs are healing. “I would do it a thousand more times. You know, rather not, but I would definitely no questions asked would do it again and again and again,” said Gunther. Thanks to help from St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, the Mizens have a place to live. Other parishioners donated and even pledged to drive the Mizens to Tampa for further treatment. “It’s just amazing to think that the world in so much ruin and hate and turmoil. The amount of people that show up and actually want to help you is it just makes your heart feel good,” said Gunther. The family is about to close on a new house. They hope to be there in time to celebrate Christmas. As for their destroyed home, the family says they’re going to demolish it but plan to keep the lot.