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SOMERSET –

They came to pray, give thanks and rejoice.  Less than a week after the Sand Fire uprooted their community.

“It’s been a rough week,” Shari Fitzpatrick said.  “We’re here to celebrate though and give thanks.

Amid the smiles, the hugs, and handshakes was a genuine appreciation for how this community pulled together at maybe their greatest time of need.

“Many families lost land and animals,” Pastor Jim Eggert of the Pioneer Bible Church, where the event Thursday was held, told FOX40. “It was a very devastating thing.”

“Huge praise for the firefighters, and everyone else who had a hand in saving our homes and really went to bat for a community,” said Fitzpatrick.

The Sand Fire destroyed 19 homes and burned just shy of 4,300 acres.  But the community came together to stand tall and let it be known they are ready to rebuild.

“Some of us lost close to everything, but we’re back here tonight to show that the healing of this community starts now.”