Celebrity chef, author, and talk show host Rachael Ray escaped a massive fire that engulfed her upstate New York home on Sunday night. Ray fled the blaze with her husband John Cusimano, and their dog, Bella Boo Blue, who the couple adopted in June. No one was injured. Ray had been broadcasting "#STAYHOME With Rachael" twice a week from her home since mid-March due to the pandemic.
After the fire, Ray took to Twitter to express her gratitude to firefighters and supporters, also sharing that her family was safe and her posting was happening someone else's device because her own phone was lost in the fire.
Fans of The Rachael Ray Show have gotten to know more about Ray's life at home, including getting a peek at her state-of-the-art kitchen where she has been sharing cooking tips, recipes, and launched a virtual "cooking camp" for viewers. Ray donated $4 million to coronavirus relief efforts through her two charitable foundations, The Rachael Ray Foundation and Yum-o!
In April, Ray gave a mini-video tour of her Lake Luzerne, NY home, which she designed and decorated herself. The home featured custom stonework and a restaurant-grade kitchen. She spoke about the "treasures" in her home, and how she had envisioned her dream kitchen, drawing it on a piece of paper, before it was built.
According to CNN, Brian LaFleure, director of emergency services and fire coordinator for the county said, "Right now, we're in the process of determining what the cause may be. It's nothing suspicious, but we're looking to determine what the cause was."
Ray's home is located in a private cul de sac in a rural area with no access to fire hydrants. For families, it's important to review a home safety plan regularly in case of fire or natural disasters.
Ray's cooking and entertainment empire have been popular among mothers looking for quick and easy meal planning solutions-- most notably, Ray's famous "30-minute meals." "The Rachael Ray Show" launched in 2006 and just ended its 14th season.
As for recovery efforts, Ray's representatives say they will continue to provide updates about the investigation into the fire, and Ray's plans for the future.