By Morgan Montalvo
WOAI News
Donations to help the family of a San Antonio firefighter killed during a mid-May four-alarm blaze at a Northwest-side strip center increased by several thousand dollars Wednesday evening.
The Texas Cavaliers Charitable Foundation delivered a $5,000 check to the San Antonio chapter of the 100 Club during a benefit concert and silent auction at Big Texas Dance Hall on the city's far north Organizers and bands also pledged show and auction proceeds to the 100 Club, a first responder benevolent group.
Local 100 Club chair Allan Smith tells News Radio 1200 WOAI the local outpouring of support for the family of firefighter Scott Deem, who perished May 18 while battling the blaze at the Ingram Park Square shopping center, continues weeks after the tragedy. The fire also injured two other firefighters, including Brad Phipps, still hospitalized in the San Antonio Military Medical Center burn ward.
Cavalier Billy Freed says the 100 Club is a regular beneficiary of his organization's charitable arm but, given the fact that more than one firefighter was a victim of the blaze, an additional contribution was in order.
A third firefighter suffered non-life-threatening injuries during the fire, and was released from hospital within a few days.