SALEM — The fire that ravaged a Salem Common apartment building, leaving an estimated 20 tenants homeless, has sparked an outpouring of support from the community.
The residents of 98 Washington Square, who lost some or all of their possessions in Friday's four-alarm blaze, include musicians and artists who perform and work in the city, and many people who shop in the downtown.
"We all know most of those people," said Cynthia Weaver, the owner of Rita's Italian Ice on the Essex Street pedestrian mall.
Weaver was one of the first to seek donations on her store's Facebook page. The message was up on Friday as the fire was still smouldering.
"I got flooded," she said. "This community is just awesome."
The donations that poured in — blankets, clothing, small appliances, personal items — were taken across the street to Pamplemousse, a home-goods store at 185-189 Essex St., and stored upstairs.
"Any of the fire victims who need clothes can stop by any time," said Pamplemousse owner Diane Manahan.
Many of the merchants have reached out to B.J. Tilton, an elderly woman who lived in the badly damaged building and who was in their shops almost daily. Bill Lazdowski, the owner of Bewitched in Salem on the pedestrian mall, has made his store almost a personal drop-off center for Tilton.
"She's touched so many lives," he said.
In an effort to raise funds for all of the victims, Lazdowski plans to auction an original Salem corn-birch bezan, or broom, made by the Salem Quill Co., and also is seeking books to give to residents or sell online to raise funds.
Customers at many of the stores have also been pitching in with gift cards and other contributions.
"It's easier to help somebody in Salem than somebody in Japan," said John Hardy Wright, a local author who stopped yesterday at Bewitched in Salem. "We see these people walking around all the time, and they're part of the fabric of the community."
Ellen Hardy, president of the Salem Arts Association, was walking past In A Pig's Eye restaurant Friday when someone ran outside to tell her the terrible news.
"Did you know Will Pirone's building is on fire?" she was asked. Pirone is a well-known local musician.
"I know there are at least three artists who lived in that building," said Hardy.
Within hours, the Salem Arts Association, a nonprofit organization, posted a notice on its website seeking funds and opened an account at the Salem Five bank. As of yesterday, it had collected about $1,500.
"Even though we sponsored it as the Salem Arts Association, the money is going to be split among all the people who are on the lease," she said.
Musicians are raising money on their own. Erinn Brown and Julie Dougherty, who performed on back-to-back nights at the Green Land Cafe, put out collection cans.
Green Land, a Washington Street restaurant that hires local musicians, has a sign on its door announcing that part of its sales on Thursday night will go to fire victims.
"We really want to give back," said manager Penny Petronzio.
Three seniors in the building are getting help from the Salem Council on Aging. Like many of the other residents, they did not have renter's insurance.
"That's one of the major problems," said Sharon Felton, the social service coordinator at the senior center.
Felton and others at the agency are trying to help with housing and other assistance.
With all this going on, Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll's office has called a meeting today to try to coordinate the relief effort. They have to do this, an official said, because so many individuals and groups want to help.
"It says a lot about the community," said Jason Silva, the chief administrative aide to the mayor.
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