Community rallies around family burned out of its home

Good things can come from tragedy, says the spokesman for the Upper Moreland family displaced when a car slammed into its home July 5, igniting a fire that reduced the building to ruins.

Family, friends, and strangers in and beyond Hatboro where the James Cummins family lives have donated money and gift cards "in the thousands," so the Cumminses can rebuild their lives.

"You realize how good people are, and how people really do want to help those in need," said Keith Purcaro, spokesman for the family that lost everything in the fire at 3150 Byberry Rd.

Purcaro said James and Jill Cummins and their three young sons "are doing well." They are about to move into a rented loft in Hatboro. They do not plan to rebuild on the fire site.

Purcaro said he completed the paperwork for a nonprofit called The Cummins Family Fund based at PNC Bank in Jenkintown. And a fundraiser with live music is planned beside the Jenkintown Library this Friday from 6 to 10 p.m., Purcaro said.

One sad reminder, though, is the youngest Cummins boy, Sean, 3, who keeps asking: "When are we going home?" His parents must patiently explain: never.

The family's life changed abruptly when a car driven by Laura Stevens, 26, of Philadelphia, veered off the road and struck the family's van and house, touching off an explosion and fire at 1:44 a.m.

The Cumminses and their dog escaped harm, but Stevens and passenger Wayne Foulke, 27, of Philadelphia, died of smoke inhalation, burns, and injuries sustained in the crash, said Vicki Firth, chief investigator for the Montgomery County coroner's office.

Upper Moreland Police Chief Tom Nestel said investigators had not made a final determination of the cause of the accident; they are awaiting the results of toxicology tests.

Purcaro said it was likely the Cumminses would sell their land on Byberry Road, then buy or build elsewhere in the Hatboro area.

Meanwhile, the family expressed appreciation for the outpouring of help in a note sent to the Jenkintown School District, where Purcaro is the elementary-school principal and James Cummins the technology director.

"The amount of support has just been incredible," the note read. "It's been overwhelming. We're very humbled by the support we've received."

Friday's fundraiser will be held in the library parking lot at 460 Old York Rd., Jenkintown. There will be food, a blues band, rock and roll, Irish music, and a Mummers band.

Admission is $10 and $5 for school-age children, but "if somebody can't give $10 at the door, we're not going to turn them away," Purcaro said.

Advanced tickets are available at Rhinoceros Toy Store in Jenkintown, the Jenkintown Elementary School, or the Farmers' Market in Jenkintown Square from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Donation checks may go to: The Cummins Family Fund, c/o PNC Bank, 123 Old York Rd., Jenkintown, Pa., 19046.