In this destructive economy, many families have lost their homes to foreclosure.

Fire took Phil and Erin Brown’s home.

When the Auburn family returned to their Vista Heights home in the Lakeland Hills area after running errands on April 6, they came upon a jolting scene: firefighters scrambling to douse a fire boiling out of a two-story home.

This couldn’t be their very same home of four years, could it?

“It’s something you would never like to see in your lifetime,” Phil recalled of the scene unfolding in his south Auburn neighborhood. “I turned the corner and saw the fire, the smoke and the crews. It was weird, a surreal experience, something you don’t expect to see.”

When firefighters from the Valley Regional Fire Authority arrived, they saw flames shooting out of windows on the first and second floors on two sides of the 2,200-square-foot home. The two-alarm fire also brought out nearby agencies to help the VRFA. Firefighters worked quickly to knock down the fire and keep it from spreading to a nearby residence.

When all was over, the damage was done –  an estimated $200,000 worth to the structure itself.

The Red Cross helped the family.

The most likely cause of the fire was electrical in nature, an accident, the VRFA concluded.

More than the physical damage, however, the fire caused considerable heartache and pain for the family of four, which lost irreplaceable items, from photos to heirlooms.

Only the garage remained intact, allowing the family to recover photos, important files and paperwork.

“We certainly believe the house and contents will be covered (by insurance),” Phil added. “But it’s the process we have to go through.

“The whole situation is realizing that things you once had are now gone. But we feel lucky — it could have been worse. We still are together as a family, and that’s what matters.”

The Browns have two children, a 5-year-old boy, Joshua, and a 2-year-old girl, Adleigh.

With the help of others, friends and even strangers, the Browns are picking up the pieces. The family actually had the home up for sale, so they could relocate to a location closer to Phil’s home improvement center job in Federal Way.

But all that has changed – for now.

To help the family, neighbors and friends are organizing a benefit to help the Browns. The barbecue and bake sale fundraiser is from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at 4936 Diana Court, Auburn.

The event asks for $5 donations.

“It’s great to see the neighborhood coming together to support this family,” said one neighbor. “They are a nice family who needs our support now.”

The Browns are humbled by the gesture.

“It’s been awesome,” Phil said. “Neighbors, some I don’t know about, are willing to help. … It’s totally inspiring.”

The Browns are determined to regain their feet.

“Our family is one who believes that things happen for a reason,” Phil said. “We push through the obstacles. As a family, we will be stronger. We’re all in this together, and that’s what matters.”

The Browns hope to return the favor some day.

“Certainly we will help others as we have learned from the people who are helping us.

“It’s been overwhelming, the generous support and kind words we received,” he added. “It certainly hasn’t been an easy time, but others have been helpful. This just shows how awesome the human spirit is.”