On Tuesday morning, Aug. 24, homeowner Gary Kumm surveys the rubble that remained after his house caught fire early Monday. He is recovering from a construction accident and is thankful he wasn’t at home at the time of the fire. — The Holyoke Enterprise | Johnson Publications
Holyoke firefighter Bob Heldenbrand sprays water on the blaze at 107 S. Reynolds Ave. Monday morning, Aug. 23. — Tina Looka
HVFD battles house fire Monday
Holyoke’s 107 S. Reynolds Ave. has been home to Gary Kumm since the 1970s, so it wasn’t easy for him to see his house go up in flames Monday, Aug. 23.
Holyoke Volunteer Fire Department was called to the blaze at 5:55 a.m. Crew members fought the fire for about 10 hours on Monday with the help of the Haxtun and Amherst fire departments.
The cause of the fire has not been determined.
The house was a complete loss, but HVFD kept the fire from spreading to other homes and is pleased to report there were no injuries.
Kumm was not at home when the fire was reported, and community members found him at his brother’s house where he was recovering from a major injury due to a recent construction accident.
He had planned to stop by his house Monday morning to pick up some clothes and medication.
“God is with me and watching out for me because I could have been in there and could have died,” said the 69-year-old on Tuesday morning.
“Everything hits you at the end when you think you have it all together,” said Kumm.
“Now I start all over again.”
Despite the shock from the fire, Kumm was in good spirits Tuesday, pointing to his front door and joking that a smoky blue color looked better than the paint color he originally picked.
Kumm said he is in need of clothes. He wears size large in shirts and size 32 in pants. Donations can be dropped off at 602 E. Gordon St. where he is staying for the time being.