Fundraiser Started For Residents Affected By UWS Fire

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — A GoFundMe launched Tuesday has already surpassed its $5,000 goal for Upper West Side residents displaced by a three-alarm fire.

Firefighters successfully controlled a blaze Tuesday within a five-story building at 54 West 75th Street, but not before the flames did significant damage to the building's first floor.

It took 138 firefighters to stop the fire that started at 10:45 a.m. No residents of the building got hurt, and there were two non-life-threatening injuries to firefighters.

Hours after the flames had stopped, Lee Uehara launched a GoFundMe for the building residents that were displaced by the fire.

"Some residents have pets, and others must stay in a hotel with just the clothes on their backs," Uehara wrote in the description for the GoFundMe. "Let's chip in and help, especially since it's Thanksgiving Week. The funds will be divided equally among the affected residents who may also live in the vacated B line apartments."

It is currently unclear how long the residents will be barred from returning to their apartments.

The website ILoveTheUpperWestSide, reports that residents of the West 75th Street are going into the building one at a time to gather what belongings they can.

The fundraiser has already passed its $5,000 goal.

As of Wednesday morning, 104 people have raised $5,810 for the campaign.

Editor's Note: Patch is a GoFundMe promotional partner.