An early morning blaze Thursday, July 3rd, destroyed the house of a Hastings family. Jeremy and Rachelle Cuddahee and their three children were sleeping when Rachelle woke up around 2am, smelled smoke, and discovered their house at 512 West Grand Street was on fire. She yelled and woke up the family and they were all able to escape, including the family’s pets.
Jeremy said he went back inside to retrieve a phone and a pair of eyeglasses “That was the wrong thing to do” he told WBCH, because he ended up being treated for smoke inhalation and released.
Firefighters were on the scene quickly but were unable to put out the fire before extensive damage was done to the structure and contents.
Rachelle is the Director of the Childcare & Preschool at the Community Education and Recreation Center (CERC) at Hastings High School. She said she has received all kinds of support from her co-workers, who set up the Cuddahee Fire Relief Fund at Highpoint Community Bank to assist the family with monetary donations or gift cards.
The Cuddahees have received support and love from friends and neighbors and people all across Barry County and said they aren’t taking it for granted.
