Family rebuilding home destroyed in Colby fire targeted by vandals

GLENDORA, Calif. (KABC) -- A Glendora family rebuilding their home after it was lost in the Colby fire was targeted by vandals.

"It just made me sick that somebody would do this," Gena Palo said.

The Palo family's home was destroyed a year ago. The family of four had lived in the house for 20 years.

"We lost everything except for we were able to get our kids' pictures and we got our children out safe," Palo said.

Palo, an 8th grade teacher, said the property has been in the family since the 1940s so they decided to rebuild.

Construction on the home is expected to be completed by the spring, but the family hit a setback when vandals broke in and threw paint around, broke windows and even tried to start a fire in a light fixture.

"The scariest part for me was seeing that they started to create a fire in a place that already burned down," Palo said teary eyed. "So I'm not sure what the reason for that was. That was a little scary to me."

MORE: Photos capture Colby fire burning in Glendora

While the damage, estimated in the thousands, is a setback, Palo said she and her husband are determined to return to their home and will lead by example for their children.

"It's important to show our kids, especially, and even more students, that when bad things happen you just get right back up there and you just go back and you put your life back together," Palo said.