A rental house owned by Steve and Cherrie Brown was badly damaged in a June 6 fire, but the tenants weren’t home, and nobody was injured. — The Holyoke Enterprise | Johnson Publications
Landlords grateful no one was hurt in Saturday fire
On Saturday June 6, around 2:30 p.m., Holyoke Volunteer Fire Department responded to a house fire at 444 W. Hargreaves St. Nobody was home at the time of the fire, and HVFD chief Stacy Rueter said that firefighters managed to control the blaze quickly.
Nevertheless, there was damage caused by fire, smoke and water. At the time of publication, the insurance investigation was still in progress, and the full extent of the damage to the home remained to be seen.
What is known is that the tenants were left with just the clothes on their backs. Gage Gifford and his partner Mandy Clark lived there with roommate Tommy Garcia. At the time of the fire, Gifford and Clark were taking Gifford’s daughter home. They were about two and a half hours away when they received the call about the fire. Garcia was working at the golf course and wasn’t home either.
Gifford said that their dog was inside the house and got out when firefighters entered. A visit to the veterinarian showed that the dog did not sustain any injuries despite the harrowing experience. Rueter also allowed Gifford inside to get his fish, which were also unharmed.
Landlords Steve and Cherrie Brown were at a cabin in Wyoming when the fire started. They returned that night, and Rueter showed them the house Sunday morning.
“We’re just grateful no one was hurt,” Cherrie said.
The fire started at the back side of the house and spread through the attic. Though they’re waiting on the results of the insurance investigation, Steve said that they hope to rebuild. They recognize, however, that it will likely be a long process.
The tenants are currently looking for new accommodations.
Clark is a Holyoke native and works at Kwik Stop. Gifford moved to town about a year ago and works in the kitchen at Blisties. The couple attend church at Holyoke Assembly of God. Their pastor and his wife, Jay and Linda Littlefield, set up a GoFundMe page. Donations can be made online at https://gf.me/u/x7x863.
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