Common Fence Point community rallies behind victims of fire

Neighborhood mourns Richard Kanauss, 76

By JIm McGaw
Posted 2/9/18

PORTSMOUTH — Common Fence Point residents have quickly mobilized efforts to support victims of the three-home fire that took the life of an elderly neighbor Wednesday.

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Common Fence Point community rallies behind victims of fire

Neighborhood mourns Richard Kanauss, 76

Posted

PORTSMOUTH — Common Fence Point residents have quickly mobilized efforts to support victims of the three-home fire that took the life of an elderly neighbor Wednesday.

Two Narragansett Boulevard homes were destroyed and another badly damaged in the fire, which started sometime after 2 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 7. 

Although officials have not identified the body that was later found among the rubble at 179 Narragansett Boulevard, neighbors said the deceased man was 76-year-old Richard Kanauss, a 30-year resident of Common Fence Point who was beloved by many.

Three occupants of the home at 175 Narragansett Boulevard managed to escape and received assistance with shelter from the Red Cross. The third home, which was completely destroyed, was unoccupied at the time of the fire. 

Donations of cash and gift cards for the victims can be dropped off at the CFPIA Community Hall at 933 Anthony Road, said Conley Zani, CFPIA president. The hall is usually open during the day for various activities.

In addition, a “Lap of Love” in support of the victims has been scheduled for 1 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 18, starting in front of the community hall.

To gather more ideas, CFPIA officers and trustees are inviting members of the public to an organizational meeting this Sunday, Feb. 11, at 4 p.m. at the hall.

Paying it forward

Leading the meeting will be Aimee Sweeney, CFPIA’s vice president, whose Summit Road house was destroyed by fire in 2014. Ms. Sweeney and her family rebuilt the home after the community rallied behind them with donations and emotional support — including a “Lap of Love.”

“Given what the community did for us and the love and support they showed us — they helped us pull up our boots — it only made sense for me to give back,” Ms. Sweeney said Friday. The “Lap of Love” is intended to be a “giant community hug for these people who are going through so much," she said.

Sunday’s meeting, she said, will be to brainstorm ideas on the best ways to help the victims of the fire, which impacted at least three different families.

“The hardest thing is not knowing what the needs are,” Ms. Sweeney said.

Mr. Kanauss, she said, “was loved by so many. He was an integral part of this community.”

The community plans on laying flowers at the sign at the top of the neighborhood in honor and remembrance of Mr. Kanauss, according to Ms. Zani, who said “there’s a sense of devastation and a feeling of being overwhelmed” in the community.

“People are very emotional,” she said. “However, I think there is a sense that our community is strong and tight in a unique way and people are looking to help and support the victims in any way they can.”

Common Fence Point, CFPIA, Common Fence Point Improvement Association

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Meet our staff
Jim McGaw

A lifelong Portsmouth resident, Jim graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1982 and earned a journalism degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1986. He's worked two different stints at East Bay Newspapers, for a total of 18 years with the company so far. When not running all over town bringing you the news from Portsmouth, Jim listens to lots and lots and lots of music, watches obscure silent films from the '20s and usually has three books going at once. He also loves to cook crazy New Orleans dishes for his wife of 25 years, Michelle, and their two sons, Jake and Max.