Community supporting Richland man who lost house to fire

Help has been pouring in for an 85-year-old Richland man who lost his house and one of his dogs in a Monday fire.

Pete Erickson, who lived alone and lost all his belongings, has received clothes and someone paid for his two-week stay at a Richland hotel, said his niece, Dawn Day.

“People are just so generous,” she said. “They are dropping off cards and cash.”

The Swan “Pete” Erickson Jr. account has been set up at the Richland Bank of America.

And a GoFundMe page had raised $3,800 of a $5,000 goal, as of Friday evening.

Erickson’s surviving dog, a poodle named Tia, had her burned paws treated with antibiotics, Day said. She was also given baby socks to help make walking easier.

Erickson still needs jeans, waist and length both 30, coats and other clothing items, she said. For information on helping, call Day at 509-735-6693.

This story was originally published November 21, 2015 at 3:03 PM with the headline "Community supporting Richland man who lost house to fire."