‘It’s really wonderful’: Crete community giving back to lone survivor of house fire

CRETE, Neb. (KLKN) – The Crete community is stepping up after a house fire that killed three people and left one woman with nothing.

Angela Martinez, a Crete native, is hosting events to raise money to help the victim rebuild.

“Something like this, you do not recover overnight,” she said.

SEE ALSO: Crete Police Department identifies three individuals killed in house fire

The events include a bake sale, raffle and gift baskets. She told Channel 8 these take a huge effort from everyone.

“We couldn’t do it without the community,” she said. “Everybody who pitches in. We have people from the daycare, two strangers we didn’t even know. I even have to go to Lincoln to pick up donated items, it’s really wonderful.”

Although she doesn’t know the victim very well, Martinez said she felt a calling to help.

“It’s a wonderful feeling,” she said. “And myself, not even being that close to the family, it makes me feel good to be able to stand up and help. I believe she’s going to need some financial support and we are a small community so we can’t make it all at once.”

SEE ALSO: House fire kills three in Crete; ‘We tried to do something,’ witness says

According to Martinez, they have already exceeded expectations.

“So, we have almost doubled my goal and it’s a shock, I won’t lie,” she said. “I’m very proud, I cannot do it without this community and everybody’s help.”