John Menthe is trying to put his life back together with help from family after his Readfield home was destroyed by fire last week.
Menthe, 36, and his 3-year-old son Silas lost everything they owned in a swift-moving fire that leveled their home March 23.
To donate
For information or to make a donation to aid the Menthe family, visit www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/9678/the-menthe-family or call Katrin Menthe at 305-619-1198.
Menthe, who did not have insurance, spent a night in the hospital with minor injuries and smoke inhalation he suffered while rescuing his dog, who is one of Silas’ best friends.
“He said, ‘If I had to crawl back in a second or third time, I probably would have,'” Menthe’s sister, Katrin Menthe, said Monday.
Silas was at an area day-care center at the time of the fire, which broke out around 11 a.m. inside the mobile home at 14 Butman Blvd. Firefighters said the fire was likely caused by an electrical malfunction.
Katrin Menthe, who has served in the Navy for 11 years, was given an emergency leave from her base in San Diego to come to Maine and help her brother get resettled. “He’s a little overwhelmed,” she said.
Katrin Menthe also established an online fundraiser for her brother. The site has generated nearly $2,500 in donations in less than a week.
“It’s done well so far,” Katrin Menthe said. “It’s definitely helping a lot.”
She said help has come in various forms. John Menthe, who works in telemarketing, has been given all the time he needs to come back to work. A local church and Silas’ day-care provider have donated clothes and some toys for the child. While Silas has enough clothes now, John Menthe could still use pants and shirts.
“Silas has a couple of new toys, which he thinks is the best thing since sliced bread,” Katrin Menthe said.
Meanwhile, John Menthe and his son are staying at an Augusta hotel.
“It’s a little crowded, but it’s OK,” Katrin Menthe said.
Silas’ mother died last year. Menthe’s mother bought the mobile home for him and Silas last year. Menthe paid the rental fee at the mobile home park on Butman Boulevard. Katrin Menthe said her brother eventually hopes to put a new mobile home on the spot, but first he has to get rid of the burned remains of the old home and then raise the money for a new one.
A close family friend has also offered lodging to John and Silas Menthe while they figure out housing arrangements. Katrin Menthe said her brother is committed to keeping Silas in the same day-care center.
Craig Crosby — 621-5642
Twitter: @CraigCrosby4
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