Community rallies to support victims of Lower Burrell apartment building fire

May 23--As a Lower Burrell apartment building was burning Thursday, Laura Edwards was already thinking about helping the people who were losing their homes.

She organized a relief effort at Lower Burrell Volunteer Fire Department No. 3 on Saturday and was overwhelmed by the community's response.

The large fire department garage was filled with donations including clothes, food, toiletries and toys.

"I felt we really had to do something for these people," she said. "They lost everything."

Nearly three dozen people were left homeless when one of the two buildings at Cedar Crest Apartments on Puckety Church Road was destroyed by fire Thursday.

Edwards said her mother, Allyson Davis, a paramedic, and her mother's boyfriend, No. 3 fire Chief Mark Marmo, had lived in that building for 11 years before moving to the other more than a year ago. Edwards went there during the fire because her mother had been baby-sitting her son, who became upset watching Marmo run in and out of the burning building.

Although the collection effort didn't start until the afternoon, people started leaving donations outside the fire hall in the morning. The fire trucks were parked outside in front of the station to make room.

"I did not expect it to be this big," Edwards said.

Rebecca Franklin of Washington Township said she brought food and children's clothing that her kids had grown out of.

"We used to live in Lower Burrell," she said. "We wanted to help out as much as we could."

Linda McAlpine of Lower Burrell brought clothes for men, women and girls.

"I have a whole bunch more at home. I didn't want to overwhelm them," she said. "I feel so bad for them. I like to help if I can do something."

Ed Mahon said he had lived in the building since 2006, when he moved to Lower Burrell from North Carolina. His apartment on the bottom floor of the three-story building had only water damage, but the water was ankle-deep.

"The mildew is going to kill the place," he said.

Mahon said he was able to retrieve some personal possessions and valuables and was staying at the Quality Inn in New Kensington. He has renters insurance.

At the fire hall Saturday, Mahon said he was looking for toiletries; as for clothes, "I'm a big guy. They're not going to have them."

As the brother of a retired New York City firefighter and 9/11 responder, Mahon was not surprised that the Lower Burrell volunteers would rally to help him and his neighbors.

"These guys don't let you down," he said. "These guys are the best."

Brian C. Rittmeyer is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Brian at 724-226-4701, brittmeyer@triblive.com or via Twitter .

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