by Bea Peterson
Daniel and Jessica Browe and their three children, Sara, 13, Tyler, 11, and Corinne, 9, were in Rensselaer watching the fireworks over the Hudson River on July 4 when they received a phone call no one wants to receive. Their house on Yerdon Road in Grafton was on fire. By the time they arrived, their home was a pile of smoldering rubble.
The firefighters had done a great job getting the fire out, the couple said. The house was a total loss, however, and they couldn’t salvage anything.
The house was a 200 year old post and beam with wood floors downstairs, five bedrooms, two baths, a dining room, a living room and a kitchen. The Browes had recently purchased all new kitchen appliances and a new television. They had also installed new wall to wall carpeting and interior doors in the bedrooms and new exterior doors. “The front door was solid steel,” said Dan, and it melted right down to a few inches.”
Grateful For Good Neighbors
Jessica said, “It was quite a disturbing thing to come home to. I don’t want to imagine what we have to do now.” Dan said, “The firefighters were great, and the townspeople were great.” A benefit breakfast was held for the family and over 200 people came to support them. “We have plenty of clothing,” said Jessica. “And we’re all set [with stuff] for the moment.”
“The Town has helped so much to get us back on our feet,” said Dan.
“The night of the fire Jay Goyer told us not to worry, we could stay in his home as the family was at their camp,” Dan said. “I had never met Jay before, and he offered us his home!” Fire Chief Jim Goyer repeatedly offered his home to the family. “Since we moved here [Building Inspector] Tom Withcuskey has been unbelievable,” Dan added. When the couple first purchased the home, which had belonged to Jessica’s grandfather, Withcuskey told them they had to remove junk from the yard. They removed over 200 tires in three days and took them to Augie’s Wholesale. “Augie treated us very fairly,” Dan said. Withcuskey was also pleased with their cleanup efforts.
After the fire, Withcuskey asked them what they needed. They told him they needed a septic line and running water to a camper and electricity set up. Within a day Joe Magisano had the water and septic hookup for them and refused to charge them. The power company was a different story. Dan said the underwriter called the company and he was told they had to have a pole at a cost of $2,500 and it would be three to five weeks before it would be installed. Two and a half weeks later he was told it would be another three to five weeks before they would have power. Withcuskey called the Public Safety Commission, got a variance, called National Grid and spoke to a company vice-president. Mid-week the pole and the power were installed at the same time.
Withcuskey has arranged with Kurt Danbury of Danbury Construction for the building to be demolished once the contents list has been completed. The Browes were asked to give something to the men doing the work and pay for the fuel for the equipment. He has also arranged for Chris Valenti of Valenti Sand & Gravel to donate fill once the building is removed.
Dan’s boss, Fort Miller Service Corp. President John Headbrain matched the employee donations for the family. He offered them a cell phone as well.
Last week the Browes were still dealing with the mortgage company, which, they said, was going slowly. They were also dealing with the insurance company trying to support their claims of new purchases when all the receipts also went up in flames.
They stayed in a hotel for a short while and quickly realized the city was not for them! With some of their savings they purchased an old Winnebago and moved to the Aqua Vista Campground. The campground owners, Mike and Lee Weliczka gave them a price break on the month’s rental. It’s a little crowded for the family, but the kids said that there are lots of animals and other children around to keep them occupied.
After August 28 they will return to their property for a while with the Winnebago. But as the weather changes, they are not sure what they are going to do next.They think they may have to rent for a while. They definitely want to remain in Grafton, where they are so grateful to everyone who has been so supportive. “Financially and emotionally,” Dan said, “it’s nice to know somebody cares.”