Paul Newman camp for sick children has major structural fire

Paul Newman camp for sick children has major structural fire

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Connecticut state soldiers and the Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit (FEIU) responded on Friday afternoon to a report of a structural fire at Hole in the Wall gang camp in Ashford, Connecticut, according to the state police officer. Connecticut Josue J. Dorelus.

The police did not provide information on the size of the affected area, but the camp’s CEO, James Canton, said the fire destroyed the arts and crafts, the joinery, the kitchen area and the buildings of the camp stores.

This archival photo shows the crafts, carpentry and buildings in the cooking zone, which were destroyed in the fire.

There were no injuries. The FEIU is working with local firefighters to determine the cause and origin of the fire, said Dorelus.

The camp, located about 35 miles east of Hartford, was started by Paul Newman in 1988 for critically ill children and their families, according to the camp’s website. The name comes from the gang of thugs in Newman’s hit movie “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid”.

“Paul’s dream was that Camp, with its discreet specialist medical care, would provide seriously ill children with a fun experience defined by compassion, laughter and acceptance,” said the camp’s website.

Canton thanked the local firefighters and the state police for their response.

“Although the cause of the fire is currently unknown, what is known is that The Hole in the Wall gang camp is a community dedicated to hope and healing. We will overcome this the way we have always done and will always do – – as a family, “he said.

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