A couple was surprised when they lost their home to an emergency demolition following the Oct. 12-13 snowstorm.

They were even more surprised when they got a bill for about $40,000 from the city.

"It's overwhelming," said Isabelle Carrington, "It's a tragedy. It's like you have nothing. You're homeless, and then you get hit with this enormous bill, and its like, "Where does life begin again?' "

The saga began the night of Oct. 13, when Carrington; her husband, James; and their 4-year-old son left their home because the electricity went out.

Late that night, the storm triggered an electrical fire.

A fire marshal at the scene declared the home structurally unsafe to enter, said Richard M. Tobe, commissioner of the Department of Economic Development, Permits & Inspections. Tobe's office then bid out the emergency demolition the day after the fire and got two responses - one for about $35,000, another for around $60,000.

City officials said they will do what they can to help the family, but they stand by the decision to raze the four-bedroom home in the city's University District.

"It was not safe to enter the structure," said Tobe, adding he was at the site three times. He said that with communications in such "bad shape" during the citywide state of emergency, he did not know where the family was or how to reach them. Still, he said, the city is required to seek reimbursement for the demolition.

"The roof was completely gone and the second floor completely caved in, we believe. It was a serious fire," he said. "In hindsight, we should try harder to find people than we were able to do during the storm. I believe what we did in the crisis of the storm was correct. If we had more time, we might have acted a little differently, but during the state of emergency, we didn't have phone numbers or names."

Carrington said she and her family - who are now living with a relative in the city - were unable to get to the house immediately after the fire because of downed trees and power lines. She and her husband arrived a few hours after the blaze was contained and were at the scene the day after. The damage was bad, she remembered, but she never imagined the house needed demolishing.

"I mean, upstairs the two bedrooms were gone, and there was damage to the back room. There was water damage, but any house that has a fire will have water damage," she said. "Within 48 hours, a neighbor called and said our house was being torn down. Days later, we get this other bill from the city for $40,000. It's just unbelievable."

Carrington, an employee with Bank of America since 1989, said she and her husband, who works for the Thruway Authority, are waiting to hear from city officials about what kind of assistance is available.

University Council Member Bonnie E. Russell, a neighbor, and Rep. Louise M. Slaughter's office are looking into the case.

Russell is setting up a meeting this week between the family and Timothy Wanamaker, director of strategic planning.

Wanamaker has indicated there are housing programs available and the family may qualify for a new home, Russell said.

"We will do as much as we can to help this family," said John Santori, a Slaughter spokesman. "It's pretty shocking what happened. We've been in touch with the family and made calls to FEMA and to anybody else who might be able to help."

Tobe's office also has reached out to FEMA on behalf of the family because "they had a loss greater than their insurance."

Meanwhile, the Carringtons are still reeling from the experience. "This was our first home. We had it for nine years," Isabelle Carrington said. "That's the only home our son knows."