Fundraiser for survivors of North Ridgeville house explosion

NORTH RIDGEVILLE, Ohio - The Gary Klemens family is starting over and they have a lot of help.

Their home on Eastview Street in North Ridgeville exploded June 24.  Adam Klemens says he's lucky he made it out alive.

"All the firemen came that night and said they were looking for a body," Adam Klemens said. "I should be dead right now. That's what they told me."

The Knights of Columbus held a fundraiser Wednesday night at The Brew Keeper in North Ridgeville.  More than 100 friends and well wishers paid $20 to help the family make a new start.

"It's a great feeling to find out everyone's standing behind you," Gary Klemens said.

Klemens is the founder of the Fairview Hospital toy run.  He was preparing for the huge motorcycle event when fumes from his bike triggered the explosion.

The family is staying in temporary housing and plans to rebuild on the same spot on Eastview Street.