WEST PITTSTON -- A veteran from Luzerne County wants to rebuild his home after it was heavily damaged in a fire Thursday night.
The quick response from friends and family who want to help Jim Norton get back on feet has his family overwhelmed.
Norton didn't have homeowners insurance when an electric heater caught fire in his home on Franklin Street in West Pittston.
The family doesn't know if they'll have to tear the house down or if they can save it, but there was so much damage, a dumpster is now filled with things destroyed by the fire.
Flames tore through the house, destroying 40 years of memories for Norton, a veteran who, just this week, was diagnosed with stage four cancer.
His son Bill remembers getting the call about the fire ripping through his childhood home.
"Chaos, chaos," he said. "I don't even remember getting here."
His dad made it out OK, but he lost almost everything he owned, including antique guns from the 1800s he collected.
"To see the house that you grew up in, you know, engulfed in flames and firemen cutting holes in the roof and spraying water is a lot, a lot to take in all at once," Bill Norton said.
The fire didn't just damage this house, but flames also spread outside, reaching Jim's van, which exploded.
"He just feels that you know he just can't catch a break."
But just as quickly as flames spread, friends and family came out to help salvage what they can, and toss what they can't.
"He helped out a lot of people, so it's time to help poor Jim back," said neighbor Mike Colleran.
Folks came from across West Pittston, some from across Luzerne County, to help board up window and gut the inside of the house.
Businesses helped too, like Antonio's Pizza in West Pittston, donating food.
"We try to do the best we can," said owner Orlando Carannante. "We heard about this fire up here, and usually we give something to help."
The family that lost so much is now full of gratitude.
"That has brought me to tears more times than the incident, you know, hearing people contact me who I didn't even know knew me, or everybody coming out of the woodwork for us, and it's been fantastic," Bill added.
And Bill says his dad is doing OK, a little emotionally beaten, and is staying with him.