TIMMINS - A local business is helping offset the cost of a devastating fire earlier this year.
AIM Recycling raised $3,500 for the Empire complex fire victims earlier this year.
The money was raised by people donating scrap metal and cash. For every metric ton of scrap metal brought in during the fundraiser, the company donated $10 towards the cause.
The drive brought in about $250 in cash donations and $3,280 in scrap metal.
The Empire complex fire happened on March 23. It required a full evacuation of the 86-unit building and left 113 people temporarily homeless.
Community donations at the time of the fire brought in $29,838, which were used to offset the cost of the incident managed by the Cochrane District Services Board (CDSB). This donation is in addition to that.
The total expenses incurred for the fire is $494,882.
Of that, $368,032 is unfunded and currently an unexpected expense for the CDSB this year, according to a report in the Sept. 19 meeting.
The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services has confirmed with the CDSB that it will get $163,570 in one-time funding under discretionary benefits to help cover the remaining costs. The local agency is still waiting to hear from Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing about a request to cover the remaining $200,000.
