WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – The Cheney family, picking up the pieces after a house fire, left them with nothing. The family was emotional as they walked back through the ash of what was once their bedrooms.  Heather Watson said getting the call that their house was a total loss and their pets did not make it out was devastating.  "Answered the phone, she was in tears, hysterical, saying our house was burning down," said Heather.  Heather's daughter arrived home from school in early December to see her family's home up in smoke. The fire department discovered a space heater that started the fire; the home is now deemed a total loss. She said all of their pets dying in the fire has taken an emotional toll.  "The possessions don't really mean much; it's losing the animals that's the hardest. We had the dog for nine years; that's probably the hardest," said Heather.  Heather's husband, Zach Watson, said the fire took everything but the shirts on their backs and left them searching for a place to live.  Man dies, mother, children safe after Pratt house fire "One of the worst things you never want to hear: your house is on fire," said Zach.  Zach said the community has stepped up to help, and a landlord down the street is putting them up for a month, rent-free.  He said having help, starting from scratch, from total strangers has been a blessing.  "There was a church in Florida; they donated. People that have never even heard of us are pitching in and helping out," said Zach.  Choosing to look at the positives, leaning on the strength of family.  "Having the whole town turn out like they did was very nice; we greatly appreciate all that. Thankfully, we all have each other; that's been the best part: we all still have each other," said Heather.  A fundraiser has now helped raise more than two thousand dollars for the family to begin to buy new clothes. Zach said their daughter's teachers have also helped, bringing them food and items to get back on their feet. A GoFundMe has been set up for the family. You can find that here.