Man Loses Everything in Sag Harbor Fire, Community Joins Forces to Help

SAG HARBOR, NY — The fire that ravaged Sag Harbor Friday left Fred Kumwenda, who lived in apartment near the Sag Harbor Cinema, with nothing.

The blaze left his apartment in rubble, with nothing left of his clothes or possessions or the memories that make up a life.

And now the community is joining forces to help Kumwenda get back on his feet.

April Gornik has organized a CrowdRise page, "Help Fred Kumwenda, Who Lost Everything!", which has raised more than $13,500 in just a day.

"A beloved member of our community, Fred Kumwenda, lost everything in the fire that swept through businesses, apartments, and our Sag Harbor Cinema on December 16, just before Christmas," Gornik wrote "Fred works at Highway Restaurant, and you may know his lovely sister Mbachi who teaches at Hayground School. Fred lost all his clothing, his laptop, which was a MacBook Pro, his beloved Takamine guitar, and, of course, his home. Any donation you can make is much appreciated to help him rebuild his life."

Scores have donated to the fund on Saturday.

"It’s just a small way of doing something to help. I'm very grateful that the community is really pulling together so quickly. It’s a small thing to do, one little step in a lot of things we’ll be called on to do going forward," said Maryann Calendrille of Canio's Books.

Reflecting on the somber mood in Sag Harbor Saturday, Calendrille said the village has suffered three "devastating" fires in its history, going back into the pages of its whaling history. "Each time, we've rebuilt and come back. I'm confident in time that the rebuilding will take place and Sag Harbor will rise again."

Although, she added, "It's very bleak right now," the hope is to "take the long view. No one was hurt. And the firefighters did such a great job. There's hope in the darkness."

People are flooding the village with compassion, reaching out to help one another, Calendrille said. "You can't keep Sag Harbor down."

Gornik is one of the many who's taking her sorrow about Friday's fire and turning into a force for good, reaching out to help others in need.

And so it seemed only natural that she'd organize the fundraiser for Kumwenda.

Gornik said by pure struck of luck, Kumwenda was not home at the time the fire raced through his apartment.

But when he came back, all that remained was ashes and memories.

"He and his sister have been here for a long time; they're wonderful members of the community," Gornik said.

She said she first met him when he worked at Nick & Toni's and has seen him as recently as Monday at Highway, where he was her server. "Because it wasn't busy, we ended up talking a bit and chatting away. Even though I don't know him that well, he seems like such a sweetheart," she said.

During the chat, Kumwenda told Gornik that he lived in an apartment on Main Street in Sag Harbor. When she heard about the fire, she didn't realize at first that Kumwenda had lost everything. But when she saw his sister, who was devastated, Gornik immediately sprang to action and created the page.

The response, she said, has been overwhelming. In addition to the funds, two offers for new laptops have come in already. "In the midst of all this tragedy, to have a community that steps up like this is just amazing," Gornik said.

To donate to Kumwenda's fund, click here.

Across Sag Harbor, the tightly knit community is drawing together to help one another heal.

Taylor Rose Berry, owner of Harbor Books, posted a message to residents and "Sag Harbor lovers" on Saturday: "As everyone can imagine it is a very sad day in The Harbor." Owners thanked the firefighters who worked "tirelessly in the freezing cold."

The community, Berry said, continues to mourn the Sag Harbor Cinema, which was demolished Friday.

"It was evident yesterday on our debris covered, icy eerie Main Street that everyone has a Sag Harbor Cinema story to share," Berry said. "For me, when I decided to move here, I met with the realtor and after deciding that it was the right decision, I grabbed a coffee at the Golden Pear, snapped a quick picture of the cinema, sent it to my family and said, 'Guess where I'm moving!'"

Everyone who has a Sag Harbor Cinema story to share is invited to Harbor Books, located at 20 Main St. Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.; the store will stay open late, offer hot toddies and snacks, music — and the chance to share memories. A portion of the proceeds will help "benefit the rebuilding of our iconic theater and those affected by the fire."