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Kirk Whalen and his son experienced a harrowing escape from a fire that tragically consumed their home, erasing decades of cherished memories in the process.
MELROSE, Putnam County — A veteran residing in Melrose, along with his son, is counting their blessings after a devastating fire engulfed their residence early Friday morning.
According to Kirk Whalen, the inferno rapidly overtook their double-wide trailer, giving them only moments to flee. Sadly, the flames claimed irreplaceable family photographs, treasured heirlooms, and personal possessions collected over the years.
“It was engulfed in flames within minutes,” Whalen recounted. “There’s nothing left to recover.”
Whalen described being jolted awake by a loud noise around 7:30 a.m., initially fearing his son had suffered a fall. He soon realized, however, that their home was rapidly filling with smoke.
“All I could see was thick black smoke,” he recalled. “I found myself outside in my pajama pants and T-shirt, barefoot, as temperatures hovered around 30 degrees, with black smoke surrounding us.”
He said the trailer was fully engulfed within minutes.
“If I would’ve went back into my room, I probably wouldn’t have come out,” Whalen said.
Along with their home, Whalen lost the equipment that powered his small lawn service, his truck, mowers and tools.
“My truck’s demolished, my mowers burned down to the ground. I don’t know where to start,” he said.
Despite the devastation, Whalen said the outpouring of support from friends, neighbors and local organizations has been overwhelming.
“Just speechless,” he said. “This support of the community is getting me through every single day, and I’m so grateful.”
The nonprofit Epic-Cure in Palatka is leading donation efforts to help Whalen and his son rebuild. Volunteers are collecting household essentials, furniture, clothing and shoes as the two wait for a new place to live.
Donation drop‑offs are being accepted at Epic‑Cure’s Palatka Warehouse, 1207 Washington St., from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. over the next two weeks.
Investigators are still determining the cause of the fire, but the family believes an old, rusted hot water heater may be to blame.
A GoFundMe has also been set up to help them recover.
