May 22, 2025 by Seward Folly Staff

Just before dawn on April 22, Cathy Weiford woke to a nightmare. Bright, flickering light poured through her window — the woodshed next to her Bear Lake home was on fire. The flames lit up the sky, and panic set in. That shed wasn’t just for storing wood; it was also her son Austin Gillespie’s workshop, Resurrection Woodworking. Cathy grabbed her phone and called 911 right away.

The dispatcher could hear the roar of the fire in the background. Cathy kindly and respectfully was told to stay on the line. The dispatcher asked if she was alone and urged her to get to her son. Austin was sleeping in his own cabin, a few hundred yards away on the lake. Cathy rushed out to wake him.

Meanwhile, their neighbor Nick Lester, a former volunteer firefighter, was jolted awake by the commotion. He ran over, ready to help. By the time Austin reached the scene, the fire had already spread — his truck was engulfed in flames, its engine block melting. Nick shouted for water. Austin crawled under the house to turn on the outdoor supply, while Nick started hosing down the carport and Cathy’s car. Nick’s quick thinking and fast action kept the fire from spreading to the main house.

In reality, my hosing the car and the car port while it may have helped a little, had little affect on the outcome.
Bear Creek Fire showed up just in time and cooled the fire very quickly. Another five minutes and you would likely be writing a different story.

Nick Lester

The dispatcher stayed on the phone, making sure Cathy kept her distance from the flames. Soon, sirens echoed across Bear Lake as fire trucks from all three areas and an ambulance arrived. More than 20 firefighters poured onto the scene. Even in the chaos, their teamwork was obvious — they moved with purpose, coordinating equipment, helping each other, and working calmly under pressure. The ambulance crew checked on Cathy and helped her to keep composure.

Nature lent a hand, too. Rain was falling and there was no wind, which is rare for Bear Lake. Thanks to the weather, the fire didn’t spread to the trees or beyond the shop.

By six in the morning, the worst was over. Nick’s young daughter, Lily, came by with coffee for everyone, and later Nick brought over eggs and sausage. Around 6:30, the firefighters had fully extinguished the blaze and checked the area for hot spots. Most of the responders then headed home to get ready for their regular workdays.

The Gillespies’ shop was gone, reduced to ashes, along with Resurrection Woodworking. It’s estimated that $70,000 to $80,000 in tools and supplies were lost. But no one was hurt, and for that, the family is deeply grateful.

What stands out most is the way everyone pulled together. The firefighters were organized, efficient, and supportive from start to finish. Neighbors stepped in to help without hesitation.

The Gillespie family wants to thank everyone involved — those who fought the fire, who contributed to the GoFundMe to help Austin rebuild, and who showed up with food, comfort, and kindness.

Most of the larger debris has been cleared, but a work party is planned for 12:30 p.m., June 1, to finish the cleanup. If you’d like to help, or donate, please call Austin at 907-362-2400 for more information.