North Tonawanda volunteer firefighter Kenneth Walker and his family saw an outpouring of support from the community on Sunday morning. Donations were dropped off at the Gratwick Hose Company in an effort to help the family rebound from an alleged arson fire started in their home.
Car after car pulled up in the fire house driveway to offer cash, toys, and other merchandise to the Walkers. Walker – the City of Tonawanda’s only black volunteer firefighter – received a racially troubled threat letter on Monday, warning of consequences if he didn’t resign from his firefighting position.
On Wednesday, the family’s Oliver Street apartment was burned. It’s not yet known if the two are directly connected, but Matthew Jurado – a previously dismissed member of the Live Hose Company in Tonawanda – was arrested and charged with setting the fire on Friday. Jurado also lived across the street from Walker.
Gratwick Hose Company President Bob Brennan said it’s been a chaotic week.
“It’s been a full range of emotions throughout the week. Monday it was disgust and revulsion at the letter. Then Wednesday at the fire it turned into rage and absolute ire. Now today, as somebody said, it’s come full circle and we see the outpouring of love from this community.”
The Walkers lost everything in the fire. Speaking at a Sunday news conference, Walker said he appreciates the help from the community, but is also focused on rebuilding.
“My first thought is to make sure that my family is taken care of,” said Walker. “I’m not worried about the GoFundMe accounts or any type of financial donations. I’m grateful for it – don’t get me wrong – but I’m first and foremost going to make sure that my family gets re-established and that we move forward.”
Walker is also watching as the investigation into the letter and the arson continues.
“I’m happy with the results at this point. There’s still a lot of unanswered questions, still a lot of things we need to resolve and figure out. But as you can see by the community here at Gratwick as well as the citizens from this city and across the country – everyone has pulled together to help us through this situation,” said Walker.
