The cause of the fire that ravaged a double-block house and left seven homeless Sunday in the village of Mary D will be ruled accidental.

Those were the words by Fire Chief Matthew J. Rudy, Mary D Fire Company early Monday.Rudy investigated the scene late Sunday. Then, early Monday, Pennsylvania State Police fire marshal trooper John Burns also performed an investigation.As a result, the cause is believed to have been cooking-related, with the fire breaking out in the kitchen area at 173 Sunny Lane.Family members and volunteers spent Monday retrieving what they could from the burned-out shell at that home and adjacent 174 Sunny Lane.Both properties are covered by insurance, and claims representatives were on hand Monday.First stepsFamily members are overwhelmed by the outpouring of concern and assistance as they try to take a first step forward.The tradition of helping your neighbor is a common thread in the fabric of life in the small Schuylkill County village with the unique name."Mary D is a close-knit community," said Rudy.The hamlet was established in 1904 as a coal mining patch town of 100 row and double houses used by miners and families. The settlement was named in honor of Mary Delores Dodson, wife of colliery owner Truman M. Dodson.Fire victims said residents of Mary D, Tamaqua and the surrounding towns have been offering assistance.For example, Angela Krapft of Coaldale, is busy making arrangements for the spaghetti dinner fundraiser from 1-4 p.m. Sunday at Tamaqua Elks Lodge."They lost so many things that are irreplaceable so I just wanted to help get them back some things that are replaceable. I felt so helpless. It's unfortunate for it to happen to anyone and this touched close to home being family," said Krapft."My phone's been ringing and ringing," said Rosalind "Pixie" Hosler, running on pure adrenaline Monday after not sleeping since Saturday night.Hosler is not only a neighbor on Sunny Lane, but mother of fire victim Jodi Denning. Hosler also is grandmother of the two children and daughter of fire victim Illomay Nelson, 83, who lived with the Dennings.The Denning family and neighbors Pete and Ida Kutash lost all of their possessions."Everything is in there, even my medication," said Denning, pointing to charred, wet debris.Specific items are needed right away, said Hosler.For instance, the Dennings' two children are students in the Tamaqua Area School District. The district imposes very specific dress code requirements, demanding the use of uniforms which adhere to certain styles and colors, including matching shoelaces. The family no longer owns the required clothing, or any clothing at all.One family member tried shopping to assemble a school uniform and came up empty at local stores, which apparently sold out of their inventory at the start of the school year.Hosler said even with offers of assistance, stress levels are high as family members try to reassemble their lives.Fire moved fastRudy said the Mary D Fire Company is indebted to more than 10 fire companies that turned out, plus all of the fire police and other emergency responders."We just can't say enough," Rudy said. "They were a big help."The assistance helped prevent the blaze from jumping to nearby row homes. The fire moved fast because the homes are typical "balloon construction," which allows flames to rise and spread."Somehow the electric garage door opened, which allowed a draft to enter," Rudy said. In essence, the house then acted like a large chimney.Tanker trucks from places such as New England Valley Fire Company and New Ringgold, to name just two, were placed into service, as were two aerials, one from Tamaqua, the other, Coaldale.Rudy said "the front house window was already popping out by the time we were hooking up to the hydrant. It was pushing out the first floor."Rudy said houses in Mary D are old miners' homes with long histories. The place at 174 Sunny Lane was the Kutash family homestead, he said.Firefighters battled the blaze from 5:45 until 10 p.m., working in temperatures in the 20s on a hillside street where water began to freeze, causing slippery conditions.The show of concern by emergency responders was especially touching, said those at the scene.For instance, two selfless firefighters, Chris Huegel and Ronny Ziegler, each presented $200 out of their pockets to help fire victims pay for emergency expenses that might arise.Others offered similar support or whatever assistance they thought would help the families move forward.A pet dog escaped safely. The Denning family hopes a pet cat, which has not been seen, also fled to safety.