Springville community collects donations for apartment fire victims

SPRINGVILLE, N.Y. – The Springville Community is coming together to help the victims of an apartment fire that investigators say was intentionally set by their neighbor.

The Springville Moose Lodge is collecting donations that local churches will help distribute to the families this weekend.

Volunteers say it’s not just clothing the families need, but everyday items like blankets, school supplies, even toys for children. Four families are having to start all over after their homes were destroyed in that fire – many of them single moms with children.

“A fire in the middle of winter with weather for an entire apartment building is devastating,” said Kathy Winkey, trustee at the Springville Moose Lodge.

“Any time the Moose Lodge is open, they’re welcome to drop things off. We were going to start Saturday but as you can see it’s already begun.”

Winkey says following Monday night’s devastating fire, the Springville community immediately took action to help their own.

“It didn’t take more than an hour for some websites to start asking people to donate because they have to be relocated, and they’ve lost everything but the clothes on their backs.”

The Erie County Sheriff’s Office has arrested former tenant Sara Lilley and charged her with arson. Lilley is accused of setting her apartment on fire, and the flames quickly spread to the rest of the building.

The only thing left is the outer shell of the building. The interior is completely gutted, and now boarded up.

“I can’t even put into words how the community has pulled together for people who have lost everything,” said Mindi Marrelli, a former tenant.

Fox Buffalo spoke with Marrelli on Tuesday, who lived at the Springbrook Apartments with her three kids.

By Thursday afternoon, they were filled with hope after seeing the outpouring of love from their neighbors.

“I wish there was a better word than thank you,” said Marrelli’s daughter, Nevaeh Bailey.

“I’m trying to find words to express the way that we feel and how unreal it is. It’s very overwhelming how much support we have and I’m so incredibly thankful for it. We all are.”

Winkey says the Moose Lodge will be collecting donations until February 4th.