The $42 million Dakota Plains Federal Credit Union in Lemmon,N.D., has established a relief fund for residents of Bucyrus, atiny town that was nearly destroyed by wildfire Oct. 17.

Though no one was hurt in the disaster, strong winds fueled thefire that scorched nine square miles and obliterated 24 structures,including four homes, two vacant farms and a picture framing business,according to local and state media reports. Bucyrus, with apopulation of about 30, is located in the southwest corner of NorthDakota.

“The homes that were affected were burned down to thefoundations,” said Dakota Plains CEO/President Peter Butterfield,who traveled to the town the day after the disaster. “There is alittle church that they managed to save and there were a couple ofhouses left standing.”

Residents gathered at the church for a special prayer service onSunday, according to media reports.

“The whole community has been so thoughtful, so helpful,” EvelynKrug told The Associated Press. Her home across the street from thechurch was destroyed. “They're all here for us; we all know they'reall here for us,” she said.

Butterfield said the credit union will be working with local andregional officials to help ensure relief funds are equitablydistributed to meet the needs of fire victims.

If addition to the relief fund that Dakota Plains FCU opened on Friday, the creditunion also has set aside $50,000 in low-interest loans to aid thoseaffected by the disaster.

The cause of the wildfire has not been determined, the APreported Monday.