Like a Phoenix rising from the ashes, Lynne Barol and Arnold Chassen have rallied to rebuild their Penn Valley home after it was consumed by flames five years ago, writes Sally A. Downey for Philly.com.

The fire that started in the garage completely decimated the 1979 house leaving the owners, who escaped the flames through a deck door, with no other recourse than to tear it down.

“Pretty much everything was gone; the cars were blown up. Almost nothing was left,” said Chassen.

Not letting the fire defeat them, the pair rented a house in Bala Cynwyd and took on the arduous task of dealing with their insurer, obtaining building permits, and the other countless issues surrounding their rebuilding plans.

However, Chassen said that he truly appreciated how Montgomery County and Lower Merion Township officials “were sensitive to our situation.”

The lower level of their new three-bedroom home features a gym, bathroom and laundry, as well as a large storage space and two car garage. There is also a very sturdy and familiar item, the original fireplace from their old home.

“It survived the fire,” said Barol. “We decided to leave it.”

Read more about the resurrected home at Philly.com by clicking here.