A feeling of shock and devastation rolled through Jim Thorpe on Sunday morning as news broke of a fire at the home of beloved community members Thomas and Lynn Highland.

Fire Chief Vince Yaich said Lynn died in the blaze, while Tom, who escaped through the basement, was taken to the Lehigh Valley Burn Center in Allentown with extensive burns.

“We’re just all trying to support Tom and the family right now,” Mayor Michael Sofranko said. “Tom and Lynn always gave back to the community. The nonprofits, they supported them all. And now, they need the Jim Thorpe community to be there for them.”

The fire broke out at the Highlands’ Center Avenue home just before 5:30 a.m. When Yaich arrived on scene, he said flames were shooting out second story windows. A neighbor tried to enter the residence several times, but was met with heavy fire.

“The entire front of the structure, first and second floor, was involved in flames,” Yaich said. “The initial attack was exterior until we could get the bulk of the fire knocked down,” which he said was 90 minutes. “The guys did all they could, but at that point there was too much volume of fire.”

Over 70 firefighters from Jim Thorpe and neighboring communities responded to the scene.

The cause of the fire has yet to be determined, and Yaich said the extensive damage to the home may complicate that task. An autopsy for Lynn was scheduled for 8 a.m. today.

According to friends, the Highlands had just celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary several weeks before.

“Lynn lived life to the fullest,” Sofranko said. “She enjoyed it to the fullest. When she walked in a room, it just lit up. You could often find her at the opera house or pretty much anywhere there was good music.”

One of her favorite bands, Canadian Celtic rock band Enter the Haggis posted a tribute message to Lynn on social media.

“Our thoughts are with them at this time,” the band posted. “May all the powers that be grant Tom a full recovery and comfort Lynn and Tom’s family.”

The Mauch Chunk Opera House called Lynn “the most sincerely generous person one could imagine.”

”It will always be very difficult to think of Jim Thorpe without her presence in it,” the venue posted. “We’ll never forget that you supported us steadfastly since the beginning.”

Her employer, Fritzingertown Senior Living Community, also posted that it is “mourning the loss of one of its own.”

“Lynn was our director of activities and recreation for our Evergreen Unit,” the post said. “Words cannot express the sense of loss we feel at this time.”

Café Arielle at the Stabin Museum said Lynn was “very much part of the fabric of Jim Thorpe and a cherished friend to many.”

Tom came out of the house as firefighters arrived the scene, Yaich said.

Tom Highland is in his eighth year on Jim Thorpe Borough Council and is the face of Highland Beverage downtown.

“I’ve gained such a newfound respect for Tommy working with him on council these past eight years,” Council President Greg Strubinger said.

“He’s such a straight shooter and you always know where he stands. He’s just done so much for so many and you can just tell how much Jim Thorpe and the people of the town mean to him. You just want to wake up and have this be a bad dream.”

Highland is seeking a third term on council and garnered the most votes on the Democratic side of the ticket.

“He’s a good councilman and we’ve worked closely because he chairs our police committee,” Sofranko said. “Whatever our initiative was at that time, Tommy just gives us his utmost support. He’s got a long road ahead of him, but we’re all praying for him and the family.”

Fundraisers

The community is hosting fundraisers for the family, many of which can be found in a thread on the Experience Jim Thorpe Facebook group.

“Early this morning, Jim Thorpe suffered a terrible tragedy that has left shock waves throughout the entire community,” group administrator Jesaka Leigh wrote. ”The Highland family touched all of us in some way, and our small town will never be the same after this. We can’t erase the pain of what has occurred, all we can do is be there for the family and try to support one another during this dark time.”

Stone Row Pub & Eatery is hosting an event from 6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday. The restaurant is donating 100% of the first $1,000 spent during the evening, along with 20% of any additional revenue.

An open mic will be held for anyone wishing to perform, read a poem or tell a story about Lynn. And, of course, Enter the Haggis tunes (Lynn’s favorite group) will be playing in between.

“Come raise a glass in Lynn’s honor as we celebrate her life and raise money to support her family,” the restaurant posted.

The Gem Shop in Jim Thorpe will donate 10% of their live sale proceeds to the family.

3 Kids Market & Eatery will donate 10% percent of all sales for the month of June. There will be an offering jar on the counter. Wear it Again & Decorate it Again will donate 10% of June sales and have donations jars on the counter.

East Mauch Chunk Eatery, Mauch Chunk Rod & Gun Club, The Sportsman’s Club, Mauch Chunk Pharmacy, Dee­Zines flower shop, Gaetanos and Classic Beverage in Nesquehoning will all have donation jars.

Jim Thorpe Youth Soccer will be holding a bake sale from 9 a.m. to noon June 12 at Penn Forest Recreation Park.

A GoFundMe account has also been set up for funeral expenses and medical expenses at https://bit.ly/2TBQkS1

As of Monday night, the GoFundMe had raised $18,005.

“One thing the people of Jim Thorpe always do is come together in times like this,” Sofranko said. “You could see it happening instantly. Everyone is so committed to helping one another and if you can take comfort in anything, it’s going to be in the fact the support group for Tom and the family is going to be immense.”

Amy Marchiano contributed to this report.