An East Bay family is starting off the New Year in the worst possible way after a fire tore through part of their home, displacing them. The fire started after 9:30 p.m. Wednesday on Doeskin Terrace in Brentwood. The family, three dogs and two pet lizards made it out safely. The most significa nt damage occurred in the garage, which authorities believe is where the fire started. The victims said it happened as they were getting ready to go to midnight mass. “I was upstairs, I smelled smoke. I came down to check if it was our house, then I opened the garage door, and I saw all of this happening,” Cleo Nwumeh said. Brentwood firefighters tell NBC Bay Area that due to damage, it’s not safe for the family to stay there. The Red Cross is helping the family, who grabbed some belongings from their home, with temporary housing. ...read more read less