MARINA, Calif. -- One volunteer called it the "phoenix house."
In roughly a year, a four-bedroom, two-bathroom home will rise from the ashes of a fire that killed one man and severely damaged a house in February 2010.
Volunteers with the Monterey County Habitat for Humanity began their first day of work on Saturday, rebuilding the home at 120 Brookside Place. They were shoveling charred remains into piles and clearing away debris in the yard.
The blaze started in the garage of the home on Super Bowl Sunday last year, killing Richard Tsubota and critically injuring his mother, Irmgard Tsubota.
Jeff Parker, an off-duty Sand City police officer, lived across the street and rushed to help his neighbors. Earlier this year, he recounted how he ran to the home and eventually found Irmgard Tsubota on the back porch, badly burned.
"I was able to kick a hole in the back fence, drag her through into a neighbor's yard," Parker said.
He said he still feels guilty for being unable to save her son. "I have no control over it, but I still have that," Parker said. "I did know him, he was a good person."
In May, Parker was recognized by the Monterey Bay Area Chapter of the Red Cross for his bravery.
After the fire, the family moved away and sold the property, which stood vacant for roughly 18 months until the crowd of Habitat for Humanity volunteers arrived.
"It's so sad what happened," said Habitat volunteer Carol Coates. "We're hoping that we can turn this into a vibrant living space again so that it gets to be a usable space for a family that needs a home."
Monterey County Habitat for Humanity President Steve Thigpen said it will take roughly 4,000 volunteer hours to complete the project. Once a family is chosen to live in the house, they will work alongside the volunteers, helping to rebuild the place they will eventually call home.
"They got smiles from ear to ear and they know that they are living in a stable, well-cared for neighborhood -- that's our satisfaction," said Thigpen.
The Monterey County Habitat for Humanity is still looking to place a family in the new home. For more information on how families can apply, click here: http://habitatmonterey.org/.
The website also has information on Habitat's resale warehouse at the former Fort Ord. The proceeds from sales of donated materials are used to help build homes.
