Widowed CAL FIRE FF Gets New 'Extreme Makeover' Home

Aug. 1, 2019
Nick Reeder, a Fresno fire captain whose wife died after giving birth to twins in 2018, will be receiving a newly built home as part of HGTV's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition."

A Fresno firefighter whose wife died upon giving birth to twins is getting a new home in a twist for a TV show.

Nick Reeder, a CAL FIRE captain and widowed father of three little girls, was announced as the home recipient as part of the TV show “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” which is filming in the Fresno area for the second time in 10 years.

The show typically has remodeled an existing home or torn one down and rebuilt it completely for its selected recipient.

But this time, the show is building a completely new home for its recipient. The home is located in Clovis in the De Young Properties neighborhood The Highlands near Shaw and Highland avenues.

“It means a new start,” Reeder said while speaking to the local media. “It means a new future for my girls.”

Reeder’s wife, Amanda Sawyer, died after giving birth to twins Kaia and Kelce in April 2108. Reeder also cares for his 4-year-old daughter, Layla.

Reeder found out he was the recipient Tuesday morning when the Extreme Makeover crew came to his apartment.

Reeder has been living with his mom and three daughters in 900 square feet.

“It’s been difficult readjusting – you know, Mommy’s not here,” Reeder said. “Daddy’s doing the best that he can do.

“I’m thankful I have my best friend (his mother, Jeanine Reeder) standing next to me.”

The episode featuring the Reeder family is expected to air on HGTV sometime in early 2020.

The show also came to Fresno in 2009 and remade the home of Fresnan Mary Ann Riojas.

“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” is hosted by Jesse Tyler Ferguson, who is perhaps best known from his role as Mitchell on the show “Modern Family.”

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©2019 The Fresno Bee (Fresno, Calif.)

Visit The Fresno Bee (Fresno, Calif.) at www.fresnobee.com

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