Fire brings neighbors, new friends together

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Jun 13, 2005 | by BILL VOGRIN THE GAZETTE

A short story in the May 19 edition of The Gazette told a familiar tale: "Home heavily damaged in fire."

It took just 15 minutes for firefighters to put out the blaze. But by then, much of Jimmie Kincheloe's two-room ranch home, her car and many of her belongings were destroyed by fire, smoke and water. The damage approached $100,000.

Unfortunately, stories like that are routine.

What's unusual about this one is the response of the neighbors -- people who were strangers before the fire on Cache Drive in Stetson Hills but decided to help Kincheloe in her time of need.

First to help May 18 was 23-year-old Calley Wenzel, a neighbor who was driving by Kincheloe's house and saw smoke. She jumped out of her car, ran in the garage and found Kincheloe, 62, coming out.

Wenzel took Kincheloe to her car and waited for emergency crews and Kincheloe's daughter to arrive.

"By the time we got to the car, flames were coming out of the garage left and right," Wenzel said.

The story would have ended with Wenzel's heroics if not for the motherly nature of her next-door neighbor, 71-year-old Tossie Wilburn.

Neither Wenzel nor Wilburn had met Kincheloe. Wilburn moved to Colorado Springs in October and hadn't met many of her neighbors. And Kincheloe had kept to herself since moving there in 2003.

But Wilburn knew the fire victim had to be suffering.

"We don't live in an affluent neighborhood," Wilburn said of their 4-yearold neighborhood, which is a collection of young families such as Wenzel's and retirees such as Wilburn and Kincheloe living in homes that sell in the $150,000 range.

"I come from a small town in Wisconsin where everyone knows everyone and you take care of your neighbors," Wilburn said. "I thought it would be a nice gesture to contact the other neighbors and take up a collection."

Wilburn is unable to do much walking, so Wenzel went from door to door.

"I don't like approaching other people," Wenzel said. "This is the first time I've ever done anything like this."

But, as on the day of the fire, she put aside her fears to help a stranger.

Before long, they had collected more than $600 and had offers of furniture, appliances and clothes for Kincheloe.

Finally, it was time for the strangers to meet.

"We called Jimmie and met her at her house," Wilburn said. "We took her a card signed by all the neighbors. And we gave her the money. She was really surprised. She was amazed at the response of her neighbors."

Kincheloe said it was a magical moment.

"The neighbors all came together for me after that fire," Kincheloe said. "It was very, very sweet of them. I have some very good neighbors."

It is turning into a life-changing experience for all involved.

"You know how it is today," Kincheloe said. "Nobody has time for anyone. We see each other and wave. But we haven't gotten neighborly. When I moved in, I didn't want to intrude on other people you know are busy. I didn't want to inject myself on them."

Not anymore. All three have made new friends. And the neighborhood is more friendly. More neighborly.

"A lot of the neighbors felt a real coming together over this," she said. "Now they know what they've got, as far as a good neighborhood."

Wenzel and Wilburn echoed that sentiment.

"I've made new friends," Wenzel said. "Several people have said we should do a big block party. We're going to. This horrible accident could turn out to be the best thing that could have happened to this neighborhood."

Wilburn is thrilled she's gotten to know several neighbors.

"A neighbor two doors away said: 'I wish you'd come around and visit me. I have this lovely deck and I sit here and drink coffee, but I have no one to enjoy it with.' So I'm going to visit," Wilburn said.

Kincheloe, who is staying with her daughter until her house is repaired, hears what's going on and knows things have changed on Cache Drive.

"I'm anxious to get back there and try being a good neighbor," she said. "I can't wait. I'm going to be more caring toward others and more helpful when they need it."

Tell us about your neighborhood: 636-0193 or bvogrin@gazette.com