Building fire affects Wichita event planning business; vendors step up to help
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — A fire at the Le Luci Lighting and Design warehouse Friday morning has affected the local business.
According to the Wichita Fire Department, they were dispatched at 7:49 a.m. on Friday, March 8, to the report of a fire at 214 S. Commerce St.
Crews found smoke coming from the front of a two-story building. It was determined to be coming from a fire in the building’s basement. Firefighters were able to extinguish it.
“Due to a lack of natural openings in the basement, crews worked quickly to set up multiple blowers to move the smoke from the building,” said the WFD.
The building was unoccupied at the time of the fire. No one was reported injured.
The cause of the fire is undetermined. An investigation is ongoing.
Courtesy: Wichita Fire Department Courtesy: Wichita Fire Department Courtesy: Wichita Fire Department Courtesy: Wichita Fire Department
Vendors step up to help
However, the owners are getting back to business with the help of other local wedding vendors.
In the basement are several chairs and rental items destroyed by the fire.
Co-owner Jorge Reyes says they’ll need to be replaced. He also says he has a village by his side. Many other business owners in the wedding sector have offered to help.
“It’s a bad situation, it’s the worst-case scenario for any vendors, but just to know we have the support, it’s been pretty positive,” Reyes said.
Reyes said after the fire happened, other vendors immediately started calling everyone from photographers to planners to rental companies, joining in to help fix the damage.
“It’s really, really awesome because it’s all over. I mean, it’s photographers, venues, planners, all the rental companies, I mean literally everybody from the industry helping,” said Reyes.
They offered to lend him their rentals to cover upcoming events. They’ve also jumped in to offer help with cleaning after the fire.
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Meal Train
A Meal Train, which accepts meals, donations and gift cards, has been set up for the Le Luci family. Click here for more details and to donate.
“March 8th, the Le Luci warehouse suffered a devastating fire that damaged an entire floor of their rentals. They are now working on rebuilding, finding a temporary warehouse, working with insurance and so much more. They could use our support!” said Nathan Axmann. “The process of rebuilding from a fire is exhausting and all consuming. If you’ve interacted with Jorge and Kathy, you know they are some of the kindest, most generous individuals and have done so much for our community and industry. Let’s help them carry this burden!”
Axmann says the Le Luci family is also accepting funds for takeout and groceries through Venmo. You can donate to @MrLeLuci.
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