AUSTIN, Texas, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- Former Federal Emergency Management Agency chief Joe Allbaugh says a Chrismas Eve fire destroyed his family's rental home near Austin, Texas.
The Austin American-Statesman reported Saturday that despite the destruction of the house, Allbaugh was relieved none of his family members were hurt.
"It's just stuff," he said of the familial items lost in Wednesday's fire. "Every one of my family members is alive and well. This is the time of year when you realize what's really important."
Allbaugh, who led the federal agency after being tabbed by President George W. Bush, said his family even managed to make the best out of the complete destruction of their Christmas presents for one another.
"We went around the table and talked about all the gifts we bought each other," he said of his family's Christmas dinner at an area restaurant. "It was a great experience."
The exact cause of the fire at the Travis County home of Allbaugh, who was FEMA head during Sept. 11, had not been determined.
