QUILCENE — When flames raced through Judy Kratochvil’s home Sunday, other members of her congregation at First Presbyterian Church set the wheels in motion to provide a helping hand.
Kratochvil, her son, David, 18, and a 22-year-old friend, Eric Huwyler, lost clothing, furniture and other belongings in the fire that started about 4:30 p.m. while they were away from the house they rent at 350 Rodgers St.
“It was a good thing we weren’t there, Judy Kratochvil said Monday. “It went up like a matchbox.”
She said there was initial concern that an older son might have been in the house, but he was out of town.
Three of the family’s five cats died of smoke inhalation during the fire. A fourth cat was found Monday, and Kratochvil said she hopes the fifth will turn up soon.
Kratochvil, a home health-care provider who works for Caregivers in Port Townsend, said clothing, furniture and other personal items weren’t insured.
She said the help of others is a bright spot for her.
“I couldn’t handle this by myself,” Kratochvil said.
Monetary contributions can be added to an account in Kratochvil’s name at Quilcene US Bank branch. They can be mailed to First Presbyterian Church at P.O. Box 387, Quilcene, WA 98376.
————–
The rest of the story appears in the Tuesday Peninsula Daily News Jefferson County edition. Click on SUBSCRIBE, above, to get the PDN delivered to your home or office.