FARMINGTON — An account has been set up for donations for Hollis Rackliffe, 86, a disabled veteran, who lost his home and belongings at 167 Morrison Hill Road to fire on Friday, Nov. 17.

Firefighters believe the fire started around the wood stove. 

Rackliffe escaped with only the clothes he had put on when he smelled the smoke, said his son, Randy Rackliffe of Minot. Hollis Rackliffe had no insurance on the house. 

His father is doing “pretty good,” Randy Rackliffe said.

People have been asking what they could do to help, so an account was set up at Franklin Savings Bank in Farmington.

Monetary donations can be dropped off at the bank at 197 Main St. or can be mailed to Franklin Savings Bank, P.O. Box 825, Farmington, ME 04938-0925.

People are asked to make sure they designate them “Donation Account/Housing Account for Hollis Rackliffe.” Monetary donations are preferred because Hollis has no storage area.

He is staying with family in Weld. Having family around made a difference, Randy Rackliffe said. His father wants to stay near Farmington. He received minor burns and suffered some smoke inhalation, his son said. 

While they were in the Farmington Walmart buying clothes for his father, three people in two parties handed his father $50 and $40, claiming they were Mrs. Claus and Mr. Claus, Randy Rackliffe said.

He is thankful to the firefighters who helped his father and responded to the fire.

“They did a great job,” he said. His father was very impressed with how quickly they arrived and made him comfortable. 

He described his father as being strong and independent. The younger Rackliffe grew up in the house that burned. 

Donations will be used to help Hollis find a permanent housing solution, clothing, food, furniture and whatever else he needs to get re-established as a lifelong resident of Farmington, according to a post on Randy Rackliffe’s Facebook page.

“We cannot thank everyone enough for their kindness and generosity,” he wrote. 

Randy Rackliffe said he has traveled to different places in the world in his job. “There is still nothing like Maine people,” he said. 

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Hollis Rackliffe (Facebook Photo)

An account has been set up for donations for Hollis Rackliffe, 86, of Farmington who lost his house and belongings in a fire on Nov. 17. (Sun Journal file photo)