By Gail Geraghty
Staff Writer
FRYEBURG — Family and friends are rallying behind the three families left homeless after the devastating fire on Bull Ring Road in Denmark. To that end, they are asking everyone to support a benefit dinner and Chinese Auction set for Saturday, Nov. 22, at the Fryeburg Fairgrounds Expo Building.
Six children — five of which are age six or younger — and five adults were able to safely escape the 5 Bull Ring Road building before wind-whipped flames engulfed the old structure at around 6 p.m. The family’s pets — a dog and two parrots — were also rescued.
Displaced in the fire were Raquel Scolaro and her sons Shane, 12, and Seth, 6, who lived on the second floor. Ground floor renovations had just been completed for the opening for a new business, the Italian Moose Restaurant, when the fire occurred.
Living in one of the two apartments on the third floor were Justin and Glenda West, along with their sons Justin Jr., 2, and Jasper, 1. Glenda’s sister Tammy Sewell, with her daughters Annabelle, 4, and Emma, 1, occupied the other third-floor apartment.
Benefit organizer and family friend Sonya Harding said the Scolaros are still living in a motel. No decision has been made on when, or if, a new building will be built on the site. Harding said the West and Sewell families are staying with Justin’s mother in Fryeburg until they can find their own place.
The Benefit Potluck Dinner and Chinese Auction runs from 4:30 to 8 p.m., and Harding said donations are still being sought for the auction. Tickets will be pulled starting at 7 p.m.
Admission to the event is by donation. Harding asks anyone with items to donate or who would like more information to call here at 592-3923.