Life for Steven Martelli’s tenants might not be normal for a little while, but it appears to be looking up.

Martelli’s 5 Gamage Ave. apartment building in Auburn went up in flames on Feb. 24, putting him and two families on the street. Everyone involved lost just about everything, from furniture to food to clothes.

Local businesses have stepped up, however. Both tenants have received monetary donations from White Rock Distillery and Andy’s Baked Beans. Good Shepherd Food-Bank came across with a truck load of food for each family, St. Mary’s with furniture and toys for the children and the Red Cross with vouchers for more food and furniture. Androscoggin Savings Bank and the Rotary Club has donated kitchenware, he said.

Donations are being collected by Mike Williams at Androscoggin Savings Bank, as well.

As for Martelli, he’s considering rebuilding his entire apartment building. An avid collector of model trains, Martelli lost his $10,000 collection in the fire. Friends have responded by buying him an HO scale starter kit, the foundation for his new train collection.

– Scott Taylor