Donora community rallying around victims of fatal fire
Paul Paterra/Observer-Reporter
The Donora community is coming together to aid victims of a Dec. 24 fire that claimed two lives.
Tracy Honaberger, 41, and Clifford Honaberger, 38, died as a result of the blaze that was reported Sunday at about 5 a.m. at 1043 McKean Ave. in the borough.
The fire spread to two neighboring homes, but no one else was injured. A total of four residents were displaced as a result of the blaze.
The Roll ‘R’ Way Skating Rink at 590 Galiffa Drive is hosting a fundraiser from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $8 and all that is collected at the front door will go to families affected by the fire. The skating center also is accepting any donations that people might want to make to help the cause.
“We’re trying to get people to donate clothes or whatever they want to the families,” said Frank Quintin, an owner of the business. “Our goal is to fill up our party room with stuff to give to these families. We’re working with the local fire department to make sure they distribute (the items) to the right people because we’re still sort of new to the town.”
As an incentive, Quintin said skate rentals will be free.
“Hopefully, that brings out more people,” he said.
The rink opened Nov. 4, 2022, and Quintin said offering a helping hand is just the right thing to do.
“I couldn’t imagine losing everything on Christmas Eve. I couldn’t imagine losing my parents on Christmas Eve,” he said. “If you have stuff and can help in any way, that’s the right thing to do.”
GoFundMe accounts have been set up to help. There are two separate accounts, one for the family of those who died at www.gofundme.com/f/2jf4j-fire-victims and the other for a neighboring home that was damaged at www.gofundme.com/f/renee-brooks-house-fire.
“Our dear friend, James Smith, lost his wife and his friend in a horrible fire early (Sunday) morning,” wrote Michelle Franks, who organized the fundraiser for the family of those who died in the fire. “Thankfully, the kids weren’t home at the time, but the house and all their belongings are a loss.”
The post called James and Tracy the “kindest people in the world,” and noted the couple owned a business. In an update posted Monday, Franks said the family has been “overwhelmed with the love and support everyone has shown,” indicating Smith and their two children lost everything in the fire.
As of Tuesday afternoon, there were 105 donations totaling $5,700 of the goal of $8,000.
The family is in need of of size 40 x 30 jeans large tops, socks, size 12 shoes and underwear for James, size 16 pants, socks, size 10 shoes and under garments for the daughter aged 15 and size XL to 2XL tops, size 42 x 32 jeans, socks and size 12 shoes for the 18-year-old son.
Michael Brooks Jr. set up the other GoFundMe account for his grandmother Renee Brooks, whose home was one of those severely damaged.
“Thankfully, she made it out of the house, but lost a majority of her roofing, house items and more to the flames,” Brooks wrote. “There is a lot of uncertainty until the inspection is completed, but anything would help.”
As of Tuesday afternoon, there had been 55 donations totaling $3,275 of the goal of $10,000.
Mayor Donald Pavelko said Tuesday the county fire marshal ruled the cause of the blaze as accidental.
“It seems like every year there’s something around Christmas,” Pavelko said. “Christmas Eve is like the worst (time for something like this to happen).”
The fire was the second in a span of 10 days on McKean Avenue. On Dec. 14, an early morning fire raged through a vacant apartment building in the 700 block of McKean Avenue, forcing it to be demolished.