Fire victims get chance to relax, meet first responders

Victims of the Charlotte fire, firefighters and law enforcement were given the chance to come together to meet each other, grieve and celebrate on Thursday night at the Spirit of Pocatello.

Hosted by Idaho’s Hometown Heroes at the Bridge in Pocatello, families who lost their homes were treated to a free meal and were given the chance to meet and mingle with those who didn’t.

Organizer Dr. Fahim Rahim says tonight wasn’t a fundraiser, but a chance for people to just share their feelings and get away from the stress.

Jason Atkins was there with two of his daughters. The Atkins family lost their home in the Charlotte fire and felt blessed to have the community come out for them like this.

“To literally get out of something like that with just the clothes on their back and to have so many people, strangers, reach out to us and say what can we do for you? People not even asking what they can do and just setting up things like this and saying, here’s what you need here’s what we can do, it’s been fantastic,” said Atkins.

Idaho’s Hometown Heroes have raised nearly $55,000 for fire victims.