Mark Evanier has issued a request and a challenge: let's rebuild Len Wein's comic book collection.

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[NOTE FROM CHUCK: after checking with fellow insurance professionals, I've found that, while it is rare, it is possible for a homeowner's insurance policy to list "loss of use" in terms of months instead of a dollar amount. Either way, what is paid for "loss of use" is up the insurance adjuster handling the claim, so it's very likely there will be expenses not paid, and very likely the Wein's will benefit from help from their family, friends and fans.]

I've posted several stories about the Len Wein house fire, and the story has been all over the Internet on blogs and news sites, so I won't rehash the details. However, the question has been asked "what can we do for them?" Right now, from what I have read, they aren't needing or asking for anything immediate. The best thing we can do is pray for them and be ready to help when the time comes.

I did want to repost my comment to a story on The Beat regarding what the insurance on the Wein household will cover, and how that will affect the kind of aid we might need to offer at the given time.

Unless California homeowners insurance is vastly different from Florida insurance, the Weins don't have up to six months for temporary housing. In Florida we have a set dollar amount for "loss of use" which is a percentage of the insurable value of the house. That relatively small dollar amount not only has to pay for a temporary home, but for any personal expenses beyond their normal expenses (eating out, for instance, when it costs more than their normal grocery bill). So, one thing that could be done for the Weins would be proving them an inexpensive place to live while their home is being repaired.

The other thing to consider is, if the damage to their home was severe enough, their insurance company might just pay the total limit of their policy to them and their mortgage company (if they have one) and be done with the situation. If that happens, they may have to find a new permanent home, and that's something else our community can help them with.

Helping them meet their basic needs is more important than replacing "stuff," so when the time comes to donate money or anything else, let's make it count.

The Los Angeles Fire Department, which has a Twitter account, posted two updates yesterday morning on the Len Wein house fire:

They also posted this press release on their website:

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Per Scott Edelman on Twitter, this story and photo is of Len Wein's house that caught on fire Monday morning:

clipped from www.contracostatimes.com

WOODLAND HILLS - Two residents escaped a house fire Monday but one of their two dogs was killed in the blaze believed started by combustible items left next to an electric wall heater, authorities said.

Flames broke out at 8:20 a.m. in the 6300 block of Jumilla Avenue. The fire raged through a bedroom and bathroom, said Devin Gales, Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman.

One man injured his knee as he fled the burning home. But the man and another resident made it out of the house safely before firefighters arrived, Gales said.

Firefighters found excessive storage piled near the heater and believe that likely caused the fire.

clipped from m.dailynews.com

Daily News Wire Services
WINNETKA - A fire damaged a single-family home in Winnetka today, but no one was hurt, authorities said.

Firefighters sent to the 6300 block of N. Jumilla Avenue about 8:20 a.m. doused the flames in about 10 minutes, said Devin Gales of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

The cause of the fire was under investigation. A damage estimate was not immediately available.

Per Harlan Ellison:

Len Wein called this morning. More than half of his house burned down earlier today. Len and Chris Valada and Chris's son, Michael, got out okay, but their beloved dog, Sheba, ran back inside and is gone. In addition to both bedrooms, the bathroom, and much of the office, what was burned first was the original art for the first Wolverine story, the cover of GIANT X-MEN #1 and other art pieces worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Susan and I will be over there as soon as I pick up my car today, and as soon as I've met the dental appointment we have scheduled. This is a major catastrophe for one of my oldest and closest friends. Like your Host, Len is a lifetime freelancer and, even though he remains a star of the comics world, even though he created Wolverine and Storm--among other characters--he goes from day to day earning a freelancer's living, as do I...and these are frightening economic times for those of us out there, to paraphrase Arthur Miller, "on a few words and a shoeshine."

The good news in all of this is Len's family was not hurt. Once I learn of how we can assist them, I will post an update.

I've not found any news yet indicating any of the artwork was insured separate from any coverage the Wein's would have on their house. I've no idea what the insurable value of their house was, but on a $200,000 home the personal property coverage would typically be $20,000, and artwork would usually have a much smaller limit.