Couple Loses Home To Fiery Blaze

A structure fire at 304 Berg St., a manufactured home, displaced two occupants Feb. 7 when resident Randy Harmon attempted to thaw frozen pipes with a flame as he has done many times before.

Harmon said the insolation caught fire quickly, and it was fast and furious. Local fire crews were called to the scene at approximately 1 p.m. and worked to control the blaze for nearly four and a half hours, according to Kimball Volunteer Fire Chief Rick Wynne.

Firefighters were called back to the scene Thursday evening, when smoke began to fill the air once again.

Harmon suffered minor burns to his hands, but he was able to get himself and the dogs out of the house. His wife also lived there.

With help from local business owner Allen Chavez by the end of the last Thursday, the Harmon's had a apartment along with most furniture, food, cooking utensils, daily essentials, clothes and many more donated items. A fundraiser on Facebook was also established by Chavez to help the family.

According to Keith Prunty, Kimball mayor, the structure teardown process awaits an asbestos analysis that is in the works.

The Harmon's have received a form for a demolition grant of $5,000 to help with the cleanup process in hopes that the necessary paperwork has been finished in time to be placed on the agenda for next week's City Council meeting.

Prunty said in an interview earlier this week that what is left of the home needs to be disposed of properly. Prunty also added that the landfill fees will be waved to help cover costs.