Community comes together after Tower District fire

Community members in the Tower District are raising donations for those who lost their homes in a devastating fire last week.

On June 16th, 10 structures and two homes were destroyed in the blaze.

"We just decided lets have a community potluck. Everybody bring their own side dish we’ll do the cooking and we just want people to come bring their donations and help those families in need," Lupe Oftedal, owner of Bebe O’s Boutique in the Tower said.

Victims could pick up donated items. Courtney Okerson brought her daughter. The blaze burned a room in her home. When she saw her home on fire she says a man tried to rob her.

"After that I was a little scared so I kinda started packing stuff up," Okerson said.

She was able to save a lot of her valuables but several pieces of furniture were destroyed.

"Besides that it’s coming up with money to move which we found a place and they are working with us but money is a challenge," she said.

David Fuentes is still living next to the devastation. His fence, and garage were burned down. He says he wants to move because fumes from the fire are still coming off the rubble.

"Once we get a little gust of wind we are coughing all day long in the house. But we have no other place to go," Fuentes said.

The Tower District Business Network Organized the potluck. Any donations not picked up will be given to a local charity.