The Show Must Go On: Jacob In Place For Council Meeting

Despite the fire which destroyed his Hillsdale Avenue home on Friday, Paul Jacob was in his usual spot at Monday night's city council meeting: behind a camera taping the action for his company, Jacob Video and Sound.    

Jacob and his wife Lorraine were victims of a major fire Friday afternoon, which destroyed both their house and the headquarters for Jacob's home-operated business. Equipment stored in the basement, however, was tarped and later salvaged by firefighters potentially helping to keep the couple, at least partially, still in business.  

"Because of the type of work he does, he had some high-priced components," said Lt. Frank Dunton from the Woonsocket Fire Marshal's office.  Firefighters carried several bins of equipment and records away from the building once the flames were extinguished.

Dunton said it is standard procedure for firefighters to secure as much of a victim's personal property as possible. "Manpower permitting, we always try to make our best attempt to protect" their belongings. "We don't always have a person available," he added. 

Although fire marshals are still in the preliminary stages of investigation, they are fairly certain the fire was accidental and believe that it was caused by either a woodstove in the breezeway of the residence or an electrical problem.

For those interested in helping the couple, who lost nearly everything in the fire, plans should be in place after tomorrow night's meeting of the Autumnfest Steering Committee. Paul Jacob has served on the committee for many years and typically films performances at the yearly festival.  At the group's second meeting of the year, the Jacob's plight is their first order of business.

Nancy Phillips said the group has already heard from a significant number of local residents interested in helping out. "It seems like there's been 8,000 ideas bounced around, so it's about choosing a plan."

Council members expressed their sympathy for the family and gratitude for Paul's work Monday night. "I pulled up front and I saw a vehicle I didn't think I was going to see," said Councilman William Schneck, "and that was Jacob Video. My prayers go out to you and Lorraine."