By: Diana Johnsen
dfjohnsen@kcautv.com
Tony and Kim Pierson of Lake City lost four of their own family in an early morning house fire on Tuesday of last week.
"In the over 40 years I've lived in Lake City, it's the worst thing that's happened by far," said Gus Macke of Lake City.
Since the fire, the town has come together to show its support for the Piersons.
Macke has helped out the family by letting them stay in a three bedroom house he owns.
Before the family moved in, he asked the town to help furnish the house, and they were more than happy to.
"I went on our local radio station at 3:30 in the afternoon, and said, ‘I need furniture for the home.' By 6:30 in the afternoon, I had to go back on the radio station and say, ‘I don't need any more furniture,'" Macke said.
The town has continued to show their support through donations.
Macke has helped establish a donation fund, which has received donations from cities as far as Des Moines.
Macke said he and the town are doing everything they can to help the family get back on their feet and that the donations are a big help right now, but the family could always use more to bounce back from this loss.
"The Piersons have a long road ahead of them. I'll be part of it. I talked to them yesterday, I'll be there," Macke said.
Donations are still being taken for the family. If interested in giving, donations can be sent to United Bank of Iowa, 201 North Center St. Lake City, IA 51449.
