UPDATE: Community rallies to help three displaced families

500,000 dollars worth of fire damages have displaced three families, but it has prompted the neighboring community to step in to help.

An initial investigation finds the fire started at one home on the 100 block of Viola Drive before damaging the other two.

Suzette Leonovich, treasurer of the Meadows of Chestnut Ridge homeowner’s association, tells 47ABC neighbors from the three communities within the Chestnut Ridge neighborhood have joined forces to start a collection drive.

“Unfortunately, it takes a tragedy to bring three communities that are side by side together, but I’m hoping we can get enough stuff to rebuild these people’s lives,” Leonovich. “I’d hate to have it happen to me.”

A list shared on a neighborhood Facebook page identifies what the families may need, such as clothes and towels.