GRANITE FALLS — The Granite Falls Assembly of God and its community is putting together efforts to help one of their members in need after a recent tragedy.

At 10:59 a.m. on Tuesday, a fire damaged two neighboring homes on the 1500 block of Ninth Avenue in Granite Falls. Police said responders found the west side of one of the houses and the east side of the other home in flames. Police also said the fire appeared to have started in the garage of one of the homes, and the cause of the fire is still under investigation. Responders included the Granite Falls Police and Fire Departments, the Yellow Medicine County Sheriff’s Office, Granite Falls Ambulance, the Clarkfield Fire Department, Hanley Falls Fire Department, the Upper Sioux Police Department and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office.

One of the houses was unoccupied at the time of the fire, and all of the occupants in the other house were able to get out, but had to leave their pets behind. Firefighters were able to rescue the pets in the house, including three dogs, two cats and a lizard while they put out the flames, Police said.

Sadly, Josh and Samantha Marugg received the tragic news Wednesday that they lost their 20-week-old baby.

Granite Falls Assembly of God pastor the Rev. Jim Wolfe said they are deeply saddened by the news.

“They lost their 20-week-old baby,” he said. “They were going in (today) to see if they were having a boy or a girl, so I can’t imagine what they’re going through.”

Wolfe added that the church has been collecting items such as clothing and groceries and other essentials as well as providing childcare for their three kids.

“We’ve been providing childcare for their three kids when needed as well as providing clothes, groceries and other items,” Wolfe said. “At this time, all we can do is continue to provide for them; I was in contact with them and just seeing what they were able to recover. They won’t have most of their clothes.”

Wolfe said they have also set up a way for people to contribute financially to help the family. If you want to help them, visit https://granitefallsag.org/giving-link and when you enter your giving information there will be a tab for “additional information”. There will then be an option to click on the “Josh and Samantha Emergency Fund.”

If you would prefer to send a check or have any questions, contact Wolfe and the Granite Falls Assembly of God at 320-564-3458.

Wolfe added they just need to continue to keep them in their thoughts and prayers and help them as best they can during this time.

“We need to continue to keep them in our prayers and continue to do what we can for them,” Wolfe said.