A fire in Bethel shortly after noon Saturday destroyed a home and a garage at 1447 Intervale Road, a fire official said.

A friend of the family, Crystelle Head, said the two-bedroom house is “completely gone” but the couple that lived there was able to get out safely along with their grandson.

She said she has known the couple, Bob and Patty Shenk, for decades. They are parents of a close friend, she said.

“It’s tragic that it happened to such good people,” Head said.

She said they were able to escape swiftly because their 7-year-old grandson, Ezrah Shenk, smelled something burning and told his grandmother.

“Thank God he did,” Head added. She said Patty Shenk is calling the boy her savior.

The Shenks have lived in the home, which town records list as owned by Ronald Savage of Bethel, for at least 15 years, Head said.

She said Bob Shenk has worked for Savage Construction for many years. His wife, she said, has long been active in the community and supportive to many young people.

Head said the Shenks lost almost everything in the fire, though they managed to save a couple of precious photo albums.

With their daughter Anna Shenk’s blessing, Head is raising money on GoFundMe to help the family.

Head said they’ve always been there for everyone else. Now it’s time, she said, to help them.