Co-workers are rallying to help a man whose home was gutted by a fire.

Nelson Kearney Jr., who is a security officer with the Bridgeport Board of Education, says he and his wife were at church when the fire started Saturday at their third-floor unit at 200 Edna Ave. in Bridgeport. Their son was at a friend's house.

The fire destroyed most of the family's belongings. The Red Cross has placed the family in a hotel, but their time will be up tomorrow. The Kearneys aren't sure where they will go.

On Wednesday, a spokesman for Kearney's fellow security officers toured the apartment. Union members are working to collect donations to help the family get back on its feet.

"This hurt me bad because it's a co-worker, and I just wanted to give back," said a fellow security officer.

The Kearneys are thankful to have the assistance and that they weren't at home when the fire started. "Material things can always be replaced, but not lives," said Kearney.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.