‘The flames came out of nowhere,’ Peyton family working to rebuild after losing business in fire

PEYTON, Colo. (KRDO) -- Sunday night, Kelley and John Tutas and their three kids watched helplessly as flames engulfed their detached garage, and with it — their dreams of John's leather side business inside turning into his full-time work.

Just as flames crept up the side of their porch to their house, multiple firetrucks arrived at the Falcon home and firefighters managed to save the Tutas' home. But, they weren't able to save the workspace.

"There was a minute or two of just kind of panic and confusion, and my wife immediately called 911 when she came out and saw the flames," said John.

Sunday night, John said he and his son were spending time in a garage, that had become a space for coming together, playing games as a family, and also his leather side business.

John and his son were working together on a leather bag, that was his son's Christmas present.

They went inside their home for the night, not knowing there were hot coals still burning inside the garage.

"There is an element of what was lost and just trying to regain that back someday," said John. "It's a tough blow, but it's just stuff in the end."

The fire destroyed the entire garage, including several of John's leather projects and his leather sewing machine, which is worth thousands.

However, instead of dwelling on what is lost, John is focusing with his family on what the future will bring.

"Our youngest daughter, Izzy, who's eight, she jumped out of the vehicle and said, Dad, I forgot to tell you about my dream."

John said his daughter had a dream two days before the fire of a new floor plan for the garage, extending it into a space that could include the family's vehicles.

"She drew a picture of it and came home with it from school," said John. "Personally, I would like to see my daughter's dream come true more than my own, but It's one of those things that we're just going to take it day by day, and whatever the Lord blesses us with to rebuild, we will do that."

On March 11, John said neighbors and friends from the community are planning to come out and help the family remove the remaining debris.

If you would like to help with the Tutas family's rebuilding efforts, you can click here to donate through this verified fundraiser.