Customers Start Charity Drive For Fire-Damaged Oakland Diner

OAKLAND, N.J. — A customer has started a fundraising campaign to help the Oakland Diner, which was damaged by a fire Wednesday and had to close down.

Patron Nuran Bekiroska said that she and a group of ladies who frequent the diner "would like to show their support" for the workers, many of whom are single mothers who depend on the income to support their families.

"We urge everyone in our community to pitch in and donate any amount you can to help the workers during this time," Bekiroska said on the Go Fund Me page she started.

More than $4,800 had been donated as of Thursday afternoon. Bekiroska wants to raise $5,000.

RELATED: Oakland Diner Closes After Fire

The fire reportedly started in the boiler room and quickly spread to the women's bathroom; there were customers in the diner when the fire occurred.

A post on the diner's Facebook page stated the diner would reopen "as soon as possible."

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The Oakland Diner — Courtesy of Go Fund Me