'Grey's Anatomy' star Caterina Scorsone details tragic house fire, escaping with her kids

Caterina Scorsone is sharing details of a house fire she and her family experienced months ago that took nearly everything, including the actress' pets. Thankfully, she and her three kids made it out.

The "Grey's Anatomy" star, who portrays Dr. Amelia Shepherd on the ABC drama series, shared photos on Instagram Monday of a soot-filled room with scorched wooden beams, which once made up her family's home. She also shared photos of their dog and cats, who did not survive the fire.

"While getting my kids ready for bed and finishing bath time, smoke began to seep up through the grout around the tub. When I looked down the hallway a river of thick black smoke had already formed and was filling the house," Scorsone wrote. "I had about two minutes to get my three kids out of the house, and we escaped with less than shoes on our feet."

Scorsone said that while they are "still sitting with" the loss of their beloved pets, the tragedy taught her the importance of community.

"This is a love letter to the incredible people that showed up and the incredible ways that they did," she wrote. "Thank you to the firefighters and the investigators ... Thank you to my neighbor who answered our frantic knocks at her door. Thank you to the parents at my kids’ school who sent toys and books."

She added that her "Grey's Anatomy" co-workers sent her family clothing and supplies.

"What we learned is that the only thing that matters are the people (and beings) that you love. The only thing that matters is community," she wrote.  "We would not be here without it and we are so grateful. Thank you."

Read more:

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• 'I heard the fire in the walls': Rachael Ray describes devastating house fire

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Grey's Anatomy's Caterina Scorsone had 'minutes' to escape house fire