York Town News
York benefactress in need after Tuesday afternoon blaze
By Jennifer L. Saunders
YORK - Leon and Louise Works were known throughout town for their unfailing generosity to the York Ambulance Association when it was an all-volunteer organization.
Tragedy struck for Louise at her South Street home Tuesday afternoon, when a second-floor bedroom blaze left the house uninhabitable.
"Louise and Leon Works, who passed away a couple of years ago, were very active with York Ambulance years ago when it was strictly volunteers," York Fire Chief Chris Balentine said Tuesday. "They opened their hearts for the town years ago, when I was a lot younger. I think it would be a great thing if the town opened up and helped her out now that she's had a tragedy. It is not livable here and she has no insurance, so she will definitely need some financial assistance."
Balentine said the fire was called in at about 3:15 p.m., and before it was doused by firefighters from York and York Beach, the house sustained significant damage. Firefighters from Kittery, the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and Ogunquit provided station coverage in town.
"The cause is under investigation right now," Balentine said, adding that although the department did receive calls about lightening strikes around the same time as storms moved through town, this was not the case with the Works residence.
"We'll be setting up a fund at the Kennebunk Savings Bank and it will be called the Louise Works Family Fire Fund," Balentine said, adding residents may contribute by contacting Kennebunk Savings Bank beginning Wednesday afternoon, June 6.
For more information on how you can help, call Kennebunk Savings Bank at 363-0671.
