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Families displaced by Boise fire receive aid

Families displaced by Boise fire receive aid
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The families displaced following last Saturday's apartment complex fire in Boise are not alone in getting back on their feet.

Six On Your Side reported earlier this week that authorities released the name of the woman who died in the fire. Now her neighbors are coming forward to help the family with funeral costs.

"It could have been us," said Ginger Exner, an Arbor Crossing resident. "It could have been any of the other apartments."

Days later, and everything is wet at the Arbor Crossing Apartment complex off State Street from all the snow and rain.

On Saturday, the flames were far-reaching.

To date, families effected by the fire have not been able to go back inside to salvage what they can.

While fire investigators work to pinpoint the cause, a multi-agency event was held at a nearby church so that families could gain access to needed resources in one spot.

The Salvation Army is providing them with assistance in the form of food, clothing and Christmas presents.

The majority of the families are staying with friends and family, many of whom are refugees who have resettled in the Treasure Valley.

"We've seen quite a few families come through," said Major Rhonda Lloyd, Treasure Valley Salvation Army. "And, we're hoping to get people back into the swing of things and reduce the tragedy of this so we can get them what they need to get them settled sooner."

Wendy Comfort, 45, died in the fire. A neighbor has started a GoFundMe account to help her family pay for the funeral. Another account has been created for the families for any expenses that may come up while they search for a new place to live.

"It's the right thing to do in any situation like this fire, or someone stuck on the side of the road," Exner said. "It doesn't matter, it's just the right thing to do."

Anyone wanting to donate household items or clothing can drop them off at the apartment complex's office at 5122 W. Stoker Lane. The links to the GoFundMe accounts are: https://www.gofundme.com/wendy-comfort-funeral-costs?ssid=841073100&pos=1 and https://www.gofundme.com/arborcrossingfirevictims?ssid=841072204&pos=1.

The American Red Cross is dipping into their disaster relief funds to help out. Any donations will help replenish that fund and can be made by visiting https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation?donprodid=prod60003.