Fundraisers launched for survivors of deadly apartment building fire, victim ID'd
Three days after a fire tore through a southeastern Minnesota apartment building, leaving four people injured and one dead, the community is rallying to help the survivors get back on their feet.
The blaze happened Thursday morning at the Chestnut Apartments in Mantorville, resulting in the displacement of the building's residents and the death of 67-year-old Cynthia "Cindy" Ferguson.
According to the GoFundMe set up to help her family pay for funeral expenses, Ferguson was battling lung cancer at the time of her death. The family has a fundraising goal of $3,000.
Meanwhile, another GoFundMe is aimed at helping the families that lost their homes in the fire. Launched by a former resident of the Chestnut Apartments, the fundraiser is seeking $15,000 to help the survivors obtain shelter as well as basic living necessities.
The GoFundMe organizer reports that two of the families are moving into a nearby apartment on Monday; however, "they will need beds and furniture for their families!"
As of this writing, the fundraiser has garnered nearly $2,000 for the residents.
According to KAAL TV, two of the fire's victims are still in critical condition in Rochester.
The State Fire Marshal is investigating the fire.
