Joe Cavalcante, Vincent's father, said Currituck fire officials have attributed the blaze to a downdraft vent extending under the floor from the fireplace. The vent overheated the space beneath the flooring and a spark from the fireplace ignited the fire, which then spread below the floors of the 20-year-old mobile home.

While the Cavalcantes are happy to have their lives, the fire has been an immense tragedy for them. Along with their Christmas gifts, the family lost several irreplaceable personal belongings, including paintings by Joe Cavalcante's father.

And if that weren't enough, the family was also received bad news this week from their insurance company. Because the home's mortgage was in the name of Joe Cavalcante's parents, the policy only covers the dwelling itself and none of the family's belongings.

In addition, their home insurance policy has a maximum value of $44,000. But new mobile homes that the family looked at Thursday in Elizabeth City cost more than $60,000.

For Deborah Cavalcante, the fire was even more harrowing. When she was 7 years old, her childhood home was destroyed by a fire that killed her father.

Since the fire, the family has been staying with relatives in the area. Deborah Cavalcante said that the American Red Cross has also arranged lodging for the family in Virginia Beach, Va.

Despite their new hardships, all three members of the Cavalcante family were clearly happy to just be alive Thursday. Joe Cavalcante praised the Moyock Fire Department for its quick response and efforts to save as many of the family's belongings as possible, while his wife spoke warmly of the outpouring of aid the family's received from neighbors and family friends.

"Everyone has been so wonderful, I almost feel guilty," Deborah said. "We feel pretty fortunate."