Benefit held for family that lost apartment in Stasny's Market fire

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) - Friends of a St. Paul, Minn. couple who lost their apartment in a fire in April gathered Sunday to help their friends get back on their feet.

Eva Tietz and Tim Schmugge lost their apartment in the same fire that destroyed Stasny’s Market and took the life of 77-year-old butcher Stu Gerr. 

BACKGROUND - Fire at Stasny's Market in St. Paul claims butcher's life

“I just keep seeing everything slowly disappearing, realizing that we were going to have to start over somehow,” Tietz said. 

The memories of that day are still painful, but they are made easier knowing they have friends like Jason Hyatt.

“I saw the news story and everything on Facebook and few weeks later I floated the idea to the band of what would you think of doing a benefit concert,” Hyatt said. 

Hyatt was among a number of friends who helped organize and put on the benefit. They hoped to raise enough money to help the couple replace what they lost in the fire.

“We are still trying to figure out a way to say thank you,” Tietz said. 

If you would like to donate to Tietz and Schmugge, you can do so here.