The Jim Thorpe community was rocked to its core on Memorial Day weekend, when a residential fire claimed the life of Lynn Highland and seriously injured her husband, borough Councilman Thomas Highland.

The fire broke out at the Highlands’ Center Avenue home just before 5:30 a.m. on May 30. When Fire Chief Vince Yaich arrived on scene, he said flames were shooting out second-story windows. A neighbor tried to enter the residence several times, but was met with heavy fire.

“The entire front of the structure, first and second floor, was involved in flames,” Yaich said. “The initial attack was exterior until we could get the bulk of the fire knocked down,” which he said was 90 minutes. “The guys did all they could, but at that point there was too much volume of fire.”

Over 70 firefighters from Jim Thorpe and neighboring communities responded to the scene.

Lynn died in the blaze, while Tom, who escaped through the basement, was taken to the Lehigh Valley Burn Center in Allentown with extensive burns.

The Highlands had just celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary several weeks before.

Instantly, the community rallied around the family.

A GoFundMe raised $35,395 and multiple businesses held their own fundraisers. The Mauch Chunk Opera House hosted a benefit concert in June featuring poetry that Lynn Highland wrote and performed on the opera house stage for 40 Story Radio Tower, and included musical performances by Vince DeGiosio and Christie McGorry, and Free Range Folk.

Lynn was a passionate supporter of the arts, and also enjoyed performing herself.

She supported all kinds of bands who came through the Opera House, but some of her favorite live performers were the Celtic rock band Enter the Haggis. She was an avid U2 fan, and the opera house shared a photo of her dancing on stage with a tribute act to the famous Irish band.

“She was sunlight, truly, she was such an original character,” said Vince DiGiosio, co-owner of the Mauch Chunk Opera House.

Mauch Chunk Rod and Gun Club hosted a basket raffle in July and a benefit in late August, with fund going to the family.

“One thing the people of Jim Thorpe always do is come together in times like this,” Jim Thorpe Mayor Michael Sofranko said. “You could see it happening instantly. Everyone is so committed to helping one another and if you can take comfort in anything, it’s going to be in the fact the support group for Tom and the family is going to be immense.”

Tom Highland won a third term on borough council in the 2021 general election. In the three years Highland has been on the ticket, he has routinely garnered the most votes among candidates. This year was no different, with Highland tallying 861 votes, the most among the seven candidates who were seeking one of four seats.

“I’ve gained such a newfound respect for Tommy working with him on council these past eight years,” Council President Greg Strubinger said shortly after the fire.

“He’s such a straight shooter and you always know where he stands. He’s just done so much for so many and you can just tell how much Jim Thorpe and the people of the town mean to him.”

Sofranko works closely with Highland, who chairs council’s police committee.

“He’s a great councilman,” Sofranko said. “Whatever our initiative was at that time, Tommy just gives us his utmost support.”

Tom was released from the hospital several months ago and, according to Sofranko, is working his way back to the council table.

“I’ve spoken with him,” Sofranko said, “and I can tell you he’s really excited to get back here in 2022.”