CUBA GOODING JUNIOR - FIRE DAMAGES HOME OF RADIO INSPIRATION

A week after CUBA GOODING JR's acclaimed film RADIO premiered in America, the man whose life inspired the film has suffered fire damage to his Anderson, South Carolina, home.

The early Saturday morning (01NOV03) blaze destroyed JAMES ROBERT 'RADIO' KENNEDY's room, but caused only minor damage to the rest of the house he shares with his family, says Anderson fire battalion chief DALE HORNE.

The fire began in Kennedy's room. Horne said it was probably caused by an electrical failure.

Shortly after the fire began, Kennedy awoke, saw the flames and woke his brother and roommate GEORGE 'COOL ROCK' KENNEDY. They woke their brother WALTER and his wife, and all four residents escaped the home without injury.

Horne says the family have a place to stay while their home is repaired.

James Kennedy, 56, who is mentally disabled, became an inspiration first for the local football team at TL HANNA HIGH SCHOOL and then the community at large.