Chesaning families left homeless after fire

FAMILIES DISPLACED - Two families were displaced by the fire that gutted this two-story home on North Clark St. in Chesaning. The four adults and one child that previously lived here were away when the fire occurred; sadly, two pets were still inside. (TCC Photo by Jeanne Marcello) CHESANING – “We lost everything,” Bonnie Gorton said. She said she and her family had been up north for the Mother’s Day weekend when they were informed that their Chesaning home was on fire.

The Chesaning-Brady Fire Department was called to 529 N. Clark St. at approximately 10 p.m. on Friday, May 11. A twostory, two-family home was engulfed in fire. The interior of the home was destroyed.

The residents of the home were Gerald and Bonnie Gorton, April Chappel, Robert Boland, and 5-year-old Trinity Boland; as well as a dog and a cat. Only the dog and cat were inside the home when the fire occurred.

OPENING A WINDOW - Firefighters reopen the house on Monday, May 14, enabling the fire marshall to investigate the cause of the house fire. (TCC Photo by Jeanne Marcello) “I’m so upset,” Gerald said, adding, “We just did the kitchen.”

The family sat on lawn chairs outside starring at the home, while the fire inspector was inside, investigating. Bonnie suspects it was an electrical fire. The fire inspector’s report had not yet been completed at the time.

According to Bonnie, they didn’t have any insurance on the home. They weren’t sure what they were going to do. They don’t have any family in the area to help them.

Anyone who needs to contact either of the families can reach Bonnie through email at blgorton24@yahoo.com.