A group of Boyle County residents are gathering water and other essentials to help in the wake of fires that ravaged the Gatlinburg and Sevier County areas of Tennessee on Monday night.

Anyone with items to donate is encouraged to bring it either to the customer service desk at Lowe’s or to Auto Connection in Junction City through Thursday night, said Clint Curtis, one of those helping organize delivery of the supplies.

The group plans to leave out early Friday morning, Curtis said. Donations will be placed in a box truck. If there are more donations than can fit in the truck, the group has access to an open trailer as well, he said.

The focus is on water, but Curtis said Gatorade, canned food and other items will be taken, too.

So far people have contributed five pallets of bottled water, among other items, he said.

Curtis said the group is awaiting word from officials at the Pigeon Forge Fire Department to know where the items will be taken for sure. A warehouse is being set up to house donations coming in to the area.

Anyone with questions can contact Curtis at (859) 319-0003.