Fundraiser held for victims of San Francisco Mission District fire
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- A business in San Francisco's Mission District is rallying residents to help the people who lost their homes and belongings in a four-alarm fire last week.
Throughout Saturday night, people brought in their donations of clothes and other items to Doc's Clock on Mission Street to help survivors of the fire. The owner of the bar, Cary Suckow, says she didn't think twice about organizing this event.
"It can happen to anyone," she said. "Which is why, you know, you go out and help these people because it could be you next, you never know."
That, plus all matching funds provided by Google, will be added to a GoFundMe account that already has more than $70,000 pledged. According to the guy who set up that account, he plans to work with a local non-profit to help divvy up the cash to the families who survived the fire.
PHOTOS: Deadly fire in SF's Mission District
Among those who could really use the help -- Jimmy Flores and his family.
"Our main concern right now is our dad, he's still in the hospital in very critical condition right now," he said.
His father, Jorge Flores, was among the last people to be rescued from Wednesday's fire. Jorge's wife Lucia is still rattled by the fire, her husband's injuries, and the fact that they're all now homeless.
"She's, you know, hanging in there," Jimmy said. "She's still in shock, you know."
Right now, the family of Mauricio Orellana is trying to figure out how to pay for his funeral expenses. He was the only person killed in the fire. His aunt, Carmen Artiga, talked with our media partner Univision 14.
She says she can't believe he's gone, and says it's sad, but that there are some things that happen that only God understands.
Orellana was originally from El Salvador, and his family is trying to decide how to send his remains back home.
Money is being raised for the victims on GoFundMe.com. So far, more than $70,000 has been raised. Donations can also be sent to the San Francisco chapter of the Red Cross.
