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THE REV. WILLIAM HAMILTON

NORTHAMPTON - Two men knocking on Union Street doors Tuesday evening - one of them in uniform - were canvassing the neighborhood not to ask questions, but to take them.

Northampton Deputy Fire Chief William Hurley and the Rev. James A. Tilbe stopped by homes into the evening to offer spiritual support and to answer questions from residents still shocked and anxious after a fire spree early Sunday claimed two lives, homes and other property. Arson is suspected. No one has yet been apprehended.

Hurley carried a notebook to record questions or comments, and the two men listened quietly as folks shared fears, asked questions and received tips on how to keep their own homes safe from fire.

"The idea was to touch base with people in the community," said Tilbe, who grew up in Easthampton and is chief of the Massachusetts Corps of Fire Chaplains. He is affiliated now with the Raynham Fire Department. "We answered questions about what to protect, (told people to) make sure smoke detectors are working and remove anything flammable from (around the house) that someone might take advantage of.

"We were received very well everywhere we went," Tilbe said. "They were glad to see us out."

The most-asked questions, said Tilbe, were about the progress of the investigation. They were not able to answer those questions.

Two additional teams visited other hard-hit areas: Steven Vanasse and Chris Norris, both deputy fire chiefs in the city, were accompanied by the Rev. Patrick McMahon of the Granville Fire Department, the Rev. Willard Cofield of the Springfield Fire Department and the Rev. William Hamilton of St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Northampton.

Tilbe gave special mention to Hamilton, who was a driving force in the outreach effort.

Tilbe said Hamilton responded to the Fair Street fire in the early hours Sunday, lending support to the family and friends of Paul Yeskie Sr., 81, and Paul Yeskie Jr., 39, a father and son who died in that fire, and to firefighters. Hamilton was unavailable for comment.

The idea for the project was conceived by the Northampton Fire Department, according to Assistant Fire Chief Duane Nichols.

"We wanted to reach back into the community and show that the Fire Department is there, and listen to (residents') fears and concerns," Nichols said.

Nichols lauded his department's work for its response to an overwhelming emergency. "I am really proud."

Deborah Oakley can be reached at doakley@gazettenet.com.