While Channel 12 news is reporting that the Pizza Man fire started in the Black & White Cafe and is being considered arson, folks are banding together to help the victims of the blaze.

Earlier this week OnMilwaukee.com staffers heard about efforts to help one of the folks who lost everything when their apartments above Pizza Man burned last week. A local bartender was collecting items for her friend Dan, currently living at his dad's house, who hoped to move into a Downtown efficiency apartment soon.

Trouble is, he lost everything but the clothes on his back, his wallet and his cellphone in the blaze.

At the same time, we also heard that Pizza Man owners Mike and Deanna Amidzich have organized a benefit for all the apartment tenants. It will be held Thursday, Jan. 28 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Twisted Fork restaurant.

Admission is $5 at the door and includes free beer (donated by Twisted Fork), an auction and music. Food will be available for purchase. All proceeds from the event benefit those rendered homeless by the fire that also destroyed Pizza Man, Cush and Grecian Delight.

You can also make a donation at any Associated Bank branch.

If you'd like to help Dan directly, contact Mona at ramona_veil@msn.com. Dan needs household goods and clothes. If you're looking to donate the latter, please keep in mind that he's about 5' 10", weights 180 pounds and wears 34x32 pants, size 10 or 10.5 shoes and large or extra large shirts.

Over the weekend Deanna Amidzich led the charge to rescue as much as she could from the damaged restaurant.

"The restoration company is getting the arches and the booths out. There will be a lot of the original structure we'll be able to put into our new establishment when we go ahead and open," Amidzich told Channel 12 news.