A Sunday morning fire in Vallecito severely damaged the home of Durango Police Department Cadet Levi Bobian, but the department and the community are rallying to help him and his wife, Erin.

Police Chief Bob Brammer said Detective Kathy O’Toole and her family are providing shelter for the Bobians until they can find new living arrangements.

The predawn blaze, believed to have started in an outdoor ash box near the house, extensively damaged the living room, kitchen and dining room on the first floor of the couple’s house.

“I’m extremely proud of our community for rallying behind the Bobians in this tragic situation, and helping him,” Brammer said. “It’s not just members of our police department, but it’s also members of the greater community that have assisted, including the One Hundred Club and the Fraternal Order of Police.”

Jerry Martinez, president of the One Hundred Club, said the nonprofit was designed to help law officers and first responders when they face hardships and difficulties.

The One Hundred Club planned to deliver a $5,000 check Monday to help the Bobians, Martinez said.

“We were originally set up to help officers and first responders who die in the line of duty,” Martinez said. “But we have special occasions when we will help officers like this, where they have suffered a loss from something like a home fire.”

The club has also donated money to community funds to help families that have been affected by disasters, Martinez said.

This week, Bobian is scheduled to take the Police Officer Standards and Training test, his last assignment in the Law Enforcement Academy at Pueblo Community College Southwest, before being sworn in as a DPD officer, Brammer said.

The Durango chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police is also providing assistance to the Bobians, he said.

parmijo@durangoherald.com