Residents of a northeastern Newfoundland community are pulling together to build a new house for a family who lost theirs in a fire Sunday.

The home of Tommy and Daisy Barnes in Summerford, New World Island, was destroyed last weekend.

They were living in the house while Mr. Barnes was slowly building a new house for the family of three.

The fire left them without a place to live but now people on New World Island are banding together to finish the house Mr. Barnes was building alone.

A neighbour, who bashfully admits he spearheaded the effort, said it's just what people on New World Island do.

"I thought, what could you do better for somebody at this time of the year, when they are after losing their home?" said Summerford firefighter Roy Jenkins.

"Why not get together and get them into their new home? So, I called a few people and before you know, we started to get it to roll. Everybody just stepped up to the plate. Tuesday I counted 12 people working on the house."

Jenkins said many local tradespeople and businesses are pitching in.

He said the goal is to have the job done by New Year's Day.

Their work is clearly appreciated.

"Tommy is smiling from ear to ear and I've seen Daisy shed a few tears," said Jenkins.