Community Rallies to Support Musician and Antique Radio Technician After Devastating House Fire

Image of the charred remains of Kent Stephenson’s cabin and belongings.

A house fire in northern Mendocino County has left local musician and antique radio technician Kent Stephenson without a home or livelihood, and now the community is stepping up to help him rebuild.

The fire, which broke out on Sunday evening along Covelo Road (State Route 162), consumed Stephenson’s cabin and destroyed nearly everything inside. When firefighters arrived, they found the structure fully engulfed in flames. Fortunately, Stephenson was not inside at the time and made it out safely.

What was initially reported as an isolated structure fire has since taken on a deeply personal connection for those at Redheaded Blackbelt. The fire claimed the home of Stephenson, whose daughter, Rhiannon Lewis-Stephenson, is considered part of the Redheaded Blackbelt family as Kym Kemp’s surrogate kiddo.

Lewis-Stephenson has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help her father recover from the loss. Stephenson worked from home restoring and selling antique radios, a unique craft that was also his primary source of income. With nearly all his tools, inventory, and belongings lost in the fire, he is now facing the daunting task of starting over.

“We need these funds to help him regain his footing and to clean up fire debris,” Lewis-Stephenson wrote in the fundraiser description. “Anything helps, and all is appreciated.”

The local community has already shown generosity by donating essential items, but financial support is now critical to covering basic living expenses and clearing fire debris.

Those who wish to contribute can do so through the GoFundMe campaign below. Every donation, no matter the size, will help Stephenson take the first steps toward rebuilding his life.

Previously: [UPDATE 9:14 p.m.] Cabin on Fire on Covelo Road