Prayer vigil held for Hampden fire victims

BALTIMORE – Pathway Fellowship FMC held a prayer vigil Friday evening for Hampden residents impacted by the five-alarm fire that killed two people and displaced dozens early Tuesday morning.

The vigil was just steps from the homes that were destroyed. Pathways Fellowship FMC has opened its doors to the victims of the fire, even providing clothes and food. Friday night was a testament to the power of the community amid disaster.

"I'm grateful! How can I not be," Susan Linde, a victim of the fire said. "I'm alive!"

Even though she lost everything, Linde says she has a lot to be thankful for, including her smoke alarm. "I don't know what would have happened if it hadn't awakened me," she said.

Around 5:30 Tuesday morning a fire broke out in the 3400 block of Keswick Road and quickly spread to at least eight of the adjoining row homes, including Linde's.

"There was smoke everywhere! I couldn't even find where my stairway was," she explained.

Linde said she's also grateful for her neighbors and the firefighters who broke her door down to help her escape. She is one of dozens who were displaced by the fire.

"We lift up all of our neighbors who have lost everything," Dr. Simone Gibson, pastor of Pathways Fellowship FMC said.

Two of her neighbors, 63-year-old Matthew Schmale and his wife Kathy were both killed.

"We pray for their family as they grieve ever so deeply," Pastor Gibson said.

In the wake of the tragedy, neighbors gathered in prayer at Pathway Fellowship FMC, leaning on each other for support.

"When we suffer a tragedy it's important that we connect with one another," Gibson explained. "God has a way of bringing beauty out of ashes…"

There will be a fundraiser for the Keswick fire victims at Blue Pit BBQ on Union Avenue this Sunday at 3 p.m.