House fire leaves New England farmer homeless

NEW ENGLAND, N.D. (AP) — Neighbors of a southwestern North Dakota farmer are pitching in to help after a grass fire burned down his house.

Arnold Simon's helpers say he's determined to stay on his home place. A Dickinson car dealer donated a trailer for Simon to use, and neighbors have brought hay for his cattle.

The 82-year-old Simon's home about six miles north of New England was destroyed last week by a grass fire.

Simon's nephew, Glen Koppinger of Dickinson, said his uncle is “in really good spirits” and has been “joking around.”

Another nephew, Kyle Koppinger, tells The Dickinson Press (http://bit.ly/GOAsts) it was difficult to help his uncle at first because he doesn't have a cell phone and it was tough to get in touch with him.

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Information from: The Dickinson Press, http://www.thedickinsonpress.com

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