The 82 Roehampton Dr. resident's family was among the 35 families who were left to find a new home after the Sept. 7, 2007 fire that demolished building B.

"Pretty much you have to start all over," he said, but added material stuff can be replaced.

On Saturday, the 16 families who have returned to their homes united for a welcome-back ceremony, gathering together like family.

Sue McLean, co-ordinator of Moonstone Co-op, of which the apartment is a part, said the residents were all housed throughout the Niagara Region, and Niagara Regional Housing found a lot of them places to live.

Zgazar said it feels nice to return to his apartment, now with his newborn son.

Bernie Starrs, platoon chief from the St. Catharines fire department said the building was totally gutted.

"It all collapsed," Stars said, "When I got here it was fully involved."

"We had to rescue lots of cats," she added, nine in total, one turtle and one hamster, he recollected, adding the tenants in the building were okay.

Zgazar said the fire was scary because he was in Kitchener at the time, and his girlfriend, daughter and mother were in the building but he couldn't reach anyone.

"It was mayhem," Zgazar said, remembering returning on the day of the fire to see everyone evacuated.

"The biggest relief was I saw all my family," he said.

But he said it has been tough.

The residents at the building are like family, he said, adding they all share the same views on the fire.

"Nobody wants to talk about it. It's done and over and everybody's looking to move forward," he said.