House fire was arson, officials say

Neighbors questioned about gasoline canisters

How to help

A fund benefiting the family of Kim Berry, whose mobile home burned down Tuesday night, has been arranged at Peoples Bank.

America Almarz, store manager for the bank location at 2220 Harper St., said a friend of Berry’s requested an account be opened to help the family.

Donations can be made at any Peoples Bank location; the other locations are at 4831 W. Sixth St. and 3945 Iowa. Checks may be made to Kimberly D. Berry or The Kimberly D. Berry Fund. Receipts are available.

A fire that destroyed a mobile home Tuesday night was intentionally set, Lawrence fire officials said Thursday.

Fire officials, who said they were still interviewing potential witnesses, would not comment on any suspects. No information was available on what materials were used to start the fire at the Harper Woods mobile home park, 2200 Harper St.

Kim Berry’s home went up in flames shortly before 10 p.m. Tuesday, and neighbors said they heard reports of someone running away after the home ignited. Rumors of arson surfaced shortly after news of the fire broke.

For Berry, who lived at the uninsured home with two of her four children, it wasn’t a surprise.

“I already knew it,” she said. “It’s a malicious act. It’s ridiculous.”

Some neighbors expressed shock at the arson.

“I’m very much surprised,” said Jessica Atwell. “I don’t know why anyone would do that.”

But after Berry filed police complaints regarding a series of incidents, including a break-in and damage to her car, others thought the fire fit a pattern.

“After what she told me : it was a matter of what was next,” said James Greenage.

Neighbors said investigators asked about gasoline canisters that may have been missing.

Greenage, who lives next door to the home, said he keeps gasoline canisters for his lawn mower in his backyard but could not determine whether any fuel was missing.

The Berry family spent Wednesday night with friends. On Thursday, she took her children – ages 18, 16, 12 and 9 – shopping to buy food and new clothes with funds provided by the American Red Cross.

Her youngest son turned 9 on Thursday, and Berry said the family would try to have a birthday party for him.

Neighbors, including Kelley Hunt, who lives next door to the mobile home, banded together to help the family, setting up a charity fund at Peoples Bank, securing a cage for the family’s pet chinchilla and even getting a birthday cake from Checkers.

Goodwill, however, can’t replace priceless possessions lost in the blaze.

“Closure is whenever justice is served,” Berry said. “It’s not going to replace everything, the sentimental stuff, the things the kids made for you.”