FRANKLIN TWP — A retired couple who moved into their new home Monday at 221 Woodhawk Lane came home after lunch to find their new residence on fire.

“There is more in life than just having nice things,” said Charles Wood, a retiree.

“I feel sorry for the neighbors who had smoke damage. We’re thankful that no one was hurt. People here have been wonderful.”

The Woods on Monday moved into their new home, which is connected to two other occupied and one vacant unit.

They had new outlets, a chair lift along the stairs and a satellite dish installed Tuesday and had been unpacking Wednesday when they decided to step out for lunch.

“When we drove in, though, there was smoke pouring out of the house.”

Eight fire departments including more than 75 firefighters fought the 12:34 p.m. blaze for more than two hours and were mostly successful in keeping the flames away from neighboring units. They also were able to pull the Woods’ car out of the garage.

But, by the time crews were finished fighting the fire with water from tanker trucks, foam and water from a hydrant at the community’s entrance, the roof of the building had collapsed and little but the brick exterior walls still stood.

Neither the Woods nor firefighters on the scene knew how the blaze ignited.