FRIENDSHIP, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- A handicapped man from Friendship lost his lobster boat in a fire, and friends and family members are trying to raise money to replace it.

The fire last month was arson, and destroyed the 36-foot boat owned by Danny Reed, Jr. Reed is a quadriplegic as a result of a car accident, but he's used the specially equipped boat for the past twelve years to go lobstering and tuna fishing.

Reed has been in a nursing home for treatment the past year, but says he was planning to get out this summer and go fishing. Friends say the lost of the boat is devastating for Reed, and they hope to collect enough donations to allow him to find another one.

The fire that destroyed his boat was one of two arsons in the community during an eleven day period. Local people say they believe the fires are part of a feud among fishermen, and say Danny Reed was an innocent victim of it. The Fire Marshal's office and Maine Marine Patrol are still trying to determine who set the fires.

Reed's family has set up a special fund at The First bank in Waldoboro to help him:

Daniel Reed, Junior Fire Fundraiser
The First
1471 Atlantic Highway
P. O. Box B
Waldoboro, ME 04572
Phone: 207-832-5373

NEWS CENTER