CROWN POINT | The bright orange fire hydrant in front of 11850 Broadway stands out against the red brick townhomes behind it.

A year ago Wednesday, the water from that hydrant was used to douse one of the worst residential fires in Crown Point history at the Princeton Townhome subdivision. A fire that started in one of the home's garages quickly spread through 10 homes, helped along by strong winds that hampered firefighters' efforts. Today, all but two homeowners have returned to their renovated or completely rebuilt homes.

Ron McFarland, the president of McFarland Homes, said his company was asked to rebuild the homes in September, but it took at least six weeks to get the 11 homeowners, eight insurance companies, attorneys and the homeowners association on the same page. He estimated it cost $1.25 million to get the homes rebuilt.

"It's gratifying to see the look on (the homeowner's) faces, he said. "All they wanted was their homes."

The first homeowner moved back home Jan. 31, the next March 7 and six returned to their homes in April, McFarland said.

According to The Times archives, many of the homeowners said they felt like nomads while they waited for the rebuilding to start. Jennifer Addison said she moved in with her parents after the first hour.

The city came together after the fire, raising $5,000 for the affected homeowners, and the Crown Point Community Foundation offered $1,000 in emergency funds to each of the 15 families displaced by the blaze.

The fire was ruled an accident.