EDWARDSVILLE, Pa. — A shell of a building now sits on Main Street in Edwardsville after a fire on Thursday ravaged the place that housed Dancheck's Fire Extinguisher Services and NEPA Mixed Martial Arts.
Owner Kyle Reed lost everything amid the rubble, including sentimental items like his first black belt.
"Every hardwood floor we put down, to every mat that was laid, and even every wall that we put up is just gone. So, I mean, that part is very wrenching," said Reed.
But one thing stood tall over the ashes, untouched by the fire's rage.
"Everything is gone in my building, but the one thing that is left is that giant panda," laughed Reed.
As the flames quickly spread throughout the building Thursday, so did word of what happened to the martial arts studio on Main Street.
"The moment you come through those doors and step on my mat one time, I will always treat you as family. I will always treat you with respect," said Reed.
Now, it's that family stepping up for Reed in ways he never thought possible.
Tony Beveviano is the sales director for Axelrod Screen Printing in Wilkes-Barre and says he's worked with NEPA MMA for years.
"He was one of our first clients way, way back when. So, his wife got in touch, and we asked, 'How can we help?' And we had a shirt design together in like 25 minutes," said Beveviano.
Axelrad Screen Printing came up with a T-shirt fundraiser to help Reed get back on his feet. It was posted before firefighters even left the scene on Main Street. The shirt design is a nod to the only thing that survived the flames.
"That panda has been around forever and 100 different ways we used it. So, we took that and a certain style, obviously adding the fire to it was kind of funny."
It's just one example of the constant outpouring of support for this small business owner over the past 24 hours.
"They're a massive business in this area. For them, just extending their hand without even thought was just incredible," added Reed.
And the panda that now stands tall over Reed's house in Edwardsville is the symbol of resiliency that his dream will not be left in ashes.
"We've done it before. We've rebuilt NEPA Mixed Martial Arts multiple times," said Reed. "There's no doubt in my mind that we'll do it again,"
NEPA Crossfit in Plains also opened its doors to NEPA MMA to host classes Friday night. Reed had several members come out for their regularly scheduled classes, just in a new location.
A GoFundMe is also set up to help the small business recover from the fire in Edwardsville.