A Merrick family celebrating a milestone doctors said would never happen came close to seeing their son's hard work go up in flames Saturday.

Joshua Kanner, who has cerebral palsy, was born 13 years ago weighing a little more than a pound. Gail Kanner says doctors told her and her husband, David, their son would never leave the hospital or breathe without a respirator, but the specialists were wrong.

Guests packed Temple Israel in South Merrick on Saturday to hear Joshua recite his bar mitzvah prayers with the help of a communication device when a kitchen fire forced 230 people out into the rain. A chef was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. A caterer believes a bird's nest stuck in a vent caused the fire.

After making a few phone calls, the Kanners were able to move the bar mitzvah to Temple Beth El of Bellmore. Joshua's family says the fact that the ceremony occurred is a miracle and their son being able to have a bar mitzvah was their first miracle.