Building owner launches online fundraiser to help tenants displaced by fire
The owners of a Brownsville eatery started a GoFundMe for more than a dozen tenants who lost their apartments in a Sunday afternoon fire.
According to the Fayette County Emergency Management Agency, emergency crews were called to 106 Bank St. at about 5:30 p.m.
Brownsville Mayor Ross Swords said the fire started in a second floor apartment above Pickers Pub and Grub. According to Swords, the fire spread to the third floor and did mostly smoke and heat damage to the restaurant.
The state police fire marshal is investigating the fire. An exact cause has not been determined.
Swords estimated that about 20 people lived in the apartments. According to Fayette County EMA, the American Red Cross was called to assist six adults and six children.
In a post to the Pickers Pub and Grub Facebook, the building owners expressed thanks to the first responders.
“While we are just beginning to try and wrap our arm around the damages and the future we need to take a moment to first try and help our tenants who lived in our apartments upstairs who’ve lost everything and are in need of assistance for relocation, clothes, food, and essentials,” the post reads.
The post includes a link to a GoFundMe page for those who were displaced, which as of Monday afternoon had raised nearly $2,000 of its $30,000 goal.
The fundraiser page clarifies that donations will go directly towards the tenants.
“The impact of this tragedy is profound. Families have lost their belongings, cherished memories, and a sense of security. Many tenants are facing immediate challenges: finding temporary housing, replacing essential items, and navigating the emotional toll of this experience,” reads the fundraiser description.
According to Swords, two Brownsville firefighters suffered minor injuries during the incident. One had a fractured wrist and the other an ankle injury. Swords said it took about three hours to get the fire under control.
Also responding to the scene were fire departments from South Brownsville, Hiller, Bentleyville, Republic, Grindstone, California, Luzerne Township and Adah.