GAS — Lenny Clark and his family are in need of some help
Clark, 65, his stepfather, 85-year-old Ben Gregg, and his nephew, Chris Clark, 43, were displaced from their rental home in Gas after it burned Sunday evening.
The fire started when Lenny Clark and Gregg were home, and Chris Clark was about to return.
Lights in several parts of the home had gone out, and attempts to reset a breaker in the breaker box was unsuccessful.
“It kept kicking back off,” Lenny Clark said. “That’s when we knew we were in trouble.”
Chris Clark investigated the cause and found fire emanating from an upstairs air-conditioning unit.
Firefighters were called.
They were able to extinguish the blaze, but the upstairs portion of the house at 102 S. Humphrey St. was gutted. The rest of the house sustained heavy smoke and water damage.
While the Clarks and Gregg have plenty of clothing, they have several pressing needs.
“First of all, we need a place to stay,” Lenny Clark said. “The Red Cross had enough to put us in a motel for three days. Now, we’re staying with friends.”
If he can get the salvageable items from the house by Monday, before it is scheduled to be demolished, a portion of his August rent will be refunded, Clark said.
“We need to find a place for the washer and dryer and refrigerator,” he said. “I also have a couple of tables that can be saved. We’re not sure about another bedroom set. It may be water-logged.”
In addition, Clark has several house cats.
“People seemed to drop them off at my house all the time,” he said.
An unofficial count had 18 cats on the property.
A portion will be sent to the Allen County Animal Rescue Facility. Clark has been in touch with other area shelters, but a large portion still must find homes.
Gregg and Lenny Clark are retired. Chris Clark is unemployed.
They had no renters insurance.
“Had I known how inexpensive it was, I would definitely have had it,” Clark said. “But we didn’t because we thought it was going to be much more expensive.”
Those able to help should call Clark at (620) 228-3000.
Air conditioner causes fire in Gas
