Community Steps Up in Lake City Fire Tragedy - ABC5 News Des Moines, IA

Community Steps Up in Lake City Fire Tragedy

by Phil Prazan

pprazan@myabc5.com

@PhilPrazan

Tuesday, the Pierson house on Illinois St. in Lake City burned to the ground, killing three of their children and one of their grandkids.

Everything the family owned was also destroyed.

As the family heals from their loss, they are getting help from the community.

Local businessman Gus Macke stepped up to offer them a place to stay, a three bedroom house in town that he owned. That single act started an avalanche of donations.

 "I just had to do what I had to do and everybody is just - it's an army of people," says Gus Macke from Macke Motors in Lake City.

People from all over the area donated clothing, food, furniture and money. Anything to ease the financial burden of the loss.
 
"Stuff you took for granted for so long that, we've lived in that house since 1991 so everything was there.  All my tools and everything and now there's nothing," says Tony Pierson.
 
You can bring donations to Macke Motors:

1201 West Main Street

Lake City, IA 51449

(877) 803-2186

Or donate money to the United Bank of Iowa:

201 North Center Street

Lake City, IA 51449

(712) 464-3181