Sam Anderson

Danielle pulls the baby out of the high chair and rushes toward the front door.

Danielle pulls the baby out of the high chair and rushes toward the front door.

The streets are suddenly filled with traffic.

The streets are suddenly filled with traffic.

Fire trucks are trying to get to the scene while a crowd of curious neighbors heads towards the glowing fire on the mountain. They want to see who's been hit this time. Danielle's husband already knows.

Fire trucks are trying to get to the scene while a crowd of curious neighbors heads towards the glowing fire on the mountain. They want to see who's been hit this time. Danielle's husband already knows.

The new house is only a couple of blocks from the old one. Standing in the street, Danielle can see the flames getting higher and higher, fueled by the desert wind. She's worried for their neighbor, Tom.

The new house is only a couple of blocks from the old one. Standing in the street, Danielle can see the flames getting higher and higher, fueled by the desert wind. She's worried for their neighbor, Tom.

Over the next several hours, firefighters put out the blaze. Neighbor Tom's house lives to see another day. When the dawn comes, it's bright and clear. Just four days until Christmas. Danielle drives to the site of the fire to assess the damage. The scene is swarming with people. Law enforcement, fire investigators, journalists, and neighbors are milling around.

Over the next several hours, firefighters put out the blaze. Neighbor Tom's house lives to see another day. When the dawn comes, it's bright and clear. Just four days until Christmas. Danielle drives to the site of the fire to assess the damage. The scene is swarming with people. Law enforcement, fire investigators, journalists, and neighbors are milling around.

The only thing that's still standing is an outdoor fireplace.

The only thing that's still standing is an outdoor fireplace.

A police officer approaches Danielle.

A police officer approaches Danielle.

Danielle takes the tiny Santa and closes her fingers around it, thinking about how she's going to explain all this to her kids.

Danielle takes the tiny Santa and closes her fingers around it, thinking about how she's going to explain all this to her kids.

Was there anything else you recovered from the home?

Was there anything else you recovered from the home?

Lieutenant Rob Handy of the Phoenix Police Department has arrived at the scene of the fire. He's still reeling from the loss of his main suspect, the anti-development hermit who was safely under surveillance last night as Danielle's house burned.

Lieutenant Rob Handy of the Phoenix Police Department has arrived at the scene of the fire. He's still reeling from the loss of his main suspect, the anti-development hermit who was safely under surveillance last night as Danielle's house burned.