In one of the most tragic stories from Extreme Makeover history, the Peter family’s rebuilt home was destroyed by fire for the second time in 2011. Probably should have led with this: some families just cannot catch a break no matter what.
The two-alarm blaze began around 2 p.m. on a Sunday at their 155th Street address in Jamaica, Queens. Twenty-five FDNY units responded to the fire.
From Top to Bottom
“Going from the top to the bottom, everything is just gone,” said resident Romesh Peter after the fire. “The whole family is stunned and shocked.”
The family had originally appeared on the show after their first home fire in December 2004. They had been living in the damaged structure with no heat or hot water before Extreme Makeover intervened.
This case remains the only known instance of an EMHE home being destroyed by a subsequent fire. As someone who documents these outcomes, the Peter family story stands out as pure tragedy with no villain to blame.
Last updated: January 2026
Leave a Reply