Community Helping Firefighter’s Family After Tragic Loss
The community has come together to support the family of Butch Dunlap who died in a Christmas Eve fire. In a Facebook post, Tyler Bender who is spearheading the fundraising campaign, thanked everyone. “Your support, whether through donations, shares, or kind words, has been incredible. It’s a true testament to the power of community and how we come together in times of need.” (Obituary photo)
By Julie Rae Rickard
WINBURNE- After a horrific Christmas Eve disaster, a local family is seeing a light of support from their community.
At 3:25 p.m. the state police fire marshal was called to a residence in Cooper Township, Clearfield County where a man, Clifford “Butch” Dunlap, 75, was deceased after being in a house trailer fire. His son, Robert Dunlap, the Winburne Fire Chief was one of the first responders on the scene. The cause of the fire may have been either a wood pellet stove or kerosene heater, state police reported.
A Facebook post by Tyler Bender, detailed the tragedy.
“Imagine This: You dedicate your life to serving your community as a volunteer firefighter. You respond to countless emergencies–fires, accidents, rescues, and more. You drop everything, day or night, to help others in their worst moments.
“Now imagine the unimaginable: being called to a fire in your own community, only to discover it’s your family’s home, and worse, that your own loved one is inside.”
Butch, “a life member of the department, and one of the first members to join Winburne Volunteer Fire Company when it was founded” was trapped.
“Despite every heroic effort made by those on the scene, the structure became too unstable, and tragically, the chief’s father did not make it out. The structure collapsed, taking with it a cornerstone of the community and an irreplaceable family member,” Tyler wrote.
To make matters worse, Butch didn’t have any insurance, adding a financial burden to this heart broken family. Tyler asked the community for help. His request for donations was quickly answered with over $2,800 raised in 24 hours. Tyler later posted that the total was over $8,200 as of Dec. 29.
“Your kindness, generosity, and prayers mean more than words can express. Thank you for showing that even in the darkest times, we can bring light through compassion and unity.”
Other community members are stepping forward. To show their support, a benefit spaghetti dinner will be held at the Morris Township Fire Company’s recreation hall at 1104 Deercreek Road, Morrisdale on Sunday January 12th from 1-4 p.m. The cost is $10, kids under 12-$5 with tickets available at the door. There will also be a basket raffle.
They said this about the deceased: “Butch was a life member of the Winburne Fire Company Number One where he dedicated many years of service to his community, he was known for his kindness and willingness to help anyone and he was considered a pillar in the community.”
Jackson’s Bar & Grille, at 1128 Winburne Road, Winburne, located next door to the Winburne Fire Hall has agreed to accept donations by cash or check, if no one is at the fire hall or at your convenience.
The Fox Township Firemen’s Club is also collecting donations for the funeral expenses and family asking others on their Facebook page to “Please help a fellow firefighter family!”
If you would like to donate online, you can do so through Tyler’s Venmo: @tylxrbxndxr (https://venmo.com/u/tylxrbxndxr) (Be sure to choose the one with his picture because someone has already set up another account with the Winburne Fire Company logo.) Or PayPal: tybender1995@gmail.com.
If you prefer to donate by check, you should send it to: Winburne VFD,1162 Main St., Winburne, PA 16879 and make it payable to Tyler Bender and not the fire department. Please add “Winburne Chief” in the memo so the donations can be tracked.
Tyler explained that “if checks were made payable to the department, they would need to issue a separate check to the family, which could complicate financial records at the end of the fiscal year. This process ensures transparency and keeps the department’s financial records on par while still getting the support directly to those who need it most.”
According to his obituary, Butch “loved to socialize and was very well known in the community. He was a life member of the Winburne Volunteer Fire Company, Winburne, and a past Assistant Chief in the 80s. He was a past member of Clearfield County Fireman’s Association and Central District. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping.”
In the obituary the family extended “their gratitude and thanks to the Winburne Volunteer Fire Company; all emergency personnel and the community, for the outpouring of support and kindness from everyone.”