Homeowners Say Firefighters Deserve Credit For 'Miracle Cabin'

WALDEN, Colo. (CBS4)- Some are calling it a miracle cabin, a lone cabin left standing in the middle of acres of burned forest from the Beaver Creek Fire.

The Beaver Creek Fire has burned more than 43 square miles near the Colorado-Wyoming border. It has destroyed a cabin and several outbuildings.

The homeowners of the cabin that was saved, Nate and Kathy Fay, say it's not a miracle their cabin was saved from flames, but the hard work of fire crews who have been battling the fire since it was reported June 19.

"We've been working on this place for 20 years," said Kathy Fay.

The Fay family has been watching as the fire crept toward their property and on Thursday found a map that showed the fire had grown dangerously close. It was several hours before they learned their cabin had been saved, thanks to the hard work of firefighters.

"They were up there every day clearing out any extra debris," said Kathy. "They were doing a tremendous amount of work."

"They would put sprinklers in a pump and they would put sprinklers around the house to keep it moist," said Nat.

On Thursday, fire officials sent the Fays the photo that showed their cabin had been spared.

"I opened it up and almost... she was in tears, I almost fell out of my chair. I was like, 'I can't believe this,'" said Nat.

"I can't thank the firefighters enough," said Kathy.

The Fays have been firewise, putting on a metal roof and continuing with fire mitigation on the property.

"We'd already taken a number of trees down around the house. You can see most of the ones around the house are alive," said Nat.

But they credit the firefighters for doing even more to save their cabin, like wrapping the exterior in a safety foil.

"Blessed, probably more blessed than lucky, we were just stunned when we saw it and everyone we show it to is just floored. It's such a dramatic picture," said Kathy and Nat.

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