Community coming together to help Sutton family following house fire

SUTTON, Neb. (KSNB) - The cause of a fire that destroyed a home in Sutton remains under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Fire crews from Sutton, Clay Center and Grafton responded to a fire at a three-story home, located at 811 S. Saunders Avenue, around 11 a.m. Friday.

The four family members home at the time noticed a fire on the third floor and evacuated after calling 911. All their personal belongings and heirlooms were lost in the fire.

The family consists of the husband and wife in their 40s as well as a 15-year-old daughter, 9-year-old son and family pets.

The family is now living at the Fox Motel in Sutton. While their pets are being cared for by a local business.

Clay County Emergency Manager Tim Lewis said individuals have donated food to care for the animals until family finds a home to live in and the family can be reunited.

Cornerstone Banks with the help of community volunteer leaders have set up a benefit account to collect cash donations for the family.

Lewis said clothing donations are needed and appreciated, but cash helps the family buy exactly what they need or cover costs in their lives from this fire, such as down payments or utilities.

“Recovery can begin when a family can go out and as a family unit find replacement clothing that they like, fits and they are part of the process for returning to being a whole again,” said Lewis. “So much was taken from this family, that cash can be a huge boost in getting each member of the family back on track.”

For those who want to donate can do so at any Cornerstone Bank under the Colunga Fire Benefit account.

Brown’s Grocery in Sutton has also established a cash account to accept donations for the family to come in and purchase food. Anyone can contact Brown’s management at (402)773-4759 to make donations to this account for the family.

Members of Sutton’s St. Mary’s Catholic Church are fundraising for the family and have stet up a clothing drop off point for the family inside the parish hall.

The family needs the following:

Men’s work pants or jeans (size 40 x 32), shirts (size 2XL), work boots with a safety toe (size 11)

Women’s pants (size 10), shirts (large), shoes (size 7 1/2)

The teenage girl could use small and medium sized shirts and pants, including sweats, leggings and pajamas. While the boy wears size 10/12 pants and shirts and has a shoe size of 6.

The family wishes the responders who helped with the fire know how appreciated their services are. They are so moved by what these volunteers did for them and how the community support coming from Sutton Schools and the community in general makes them thrilled to be part of such a king, caring and giving community.