SOUR LAKE, Texas — A Sour Lake family has more to be thankful for this holiday after watching their home burn down last Thanksgiving.
Last year, the family of 10 watched their home burn, killing their pet chihuahua and three parakeets.
The fire was caused by a smoker that ignited the home. 12News joined the family today for their Thanksgiving dinner.
The Lerma family is thankful for the generosity of Southeast Texans who donated thousands to their GoFundMe last year, helping them to spend Thanksgiving together in their new home.
"Very thankful, very thankful for all the help we got from the community. I mean they came out and it was really good," said Danielle Lerma.
One year after a Thanksgiving house fire destroyed the Lerma family's home, she reflects on how the community donated tons of clothing to her family.
"We went through it this last year, so we knew what it was to have a community take care of us and come in and give us what we needed," said Lerma. "And very thankful."
Lerma remembers the moment her nephew alerted the family that their home was burning down.
"We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for my nephews, so, yeah, we're very thankful for being able to spend Thanksgiving this year with all of us," she said.
The family of 10 spent three weeks in a Beaumont hotel before raising enough donations to rent a new home.
"Honestly, it's not what I expected. I expected us to be in the hotel for longer," said Desta Gonzales. "But everybody pulled together for us, and we're extremely grateful for everyone."
This year, Thanksgiving was filled with joy for the family.
"For us to be all under one roof and actually celebrate Thanksgiving this year, we didn't last year, so it was very great," said Lerma.
The family wants to pass on a life-changing lesson they learned from the fire.
"Well, for one, don't cook overnight. Two, don't take everything for granted because we had everything, and then it was just gone in a split second," said Gonzales.
The family of 10 could have lost their lives in the house fire. They are giving thanks to Southeast Texas.
"But thanks to all the help that they gave us, we're here, we're here and we're together just like we wanted to be," said Ann Lerma.
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.