Fire coverage helps newlywed couple

Fire coverage helps newlywed couple

A fire coinciding with the second day of the State Fair might not have gotten much attention, until we learned it destroyed a newlywed couple’s belongings while they were away on their honeymoon. The drama in that scenario is palpable – tantalizing for newshounds looking for a story peg.

It was also rewarding to be told by the family that our coverage helped to build steam for a benefit to assist the couple’s recovery.

The groom called the station from his honeymoon because he had seen my initial report online. When he agreed to do a telephone interview with me, we knew we had a new lead story.

The report on 9WSYR.com, as it stands now, includes additions made over the weekend, but largely remains the story I originally assembled last Friday night, August 27.

After the reports, we received a very nice letter from the groom’s father thanking us for our work. “Your attention to detail has resulted in a benefit being planned for the couple and friends and neighbors even being aware of the fire,” he wrote.

Our weekend team later learned the bride’s wedding dress had been spared by the flames.