Community showing support for family following deadly weekend fire in Mesa

MESA, Ariz. (FOX 10) -- There is a show of support for a Mesa family, following a deadly fire over the weekend.

A 60-year-old woman died in the fire. Now, the school where the woman's son goes to class is stepping up to try and help.

Monday was difficult for the staff and students at Pieceful Solutions Academy in Gilbert.

"Very, very sad," said academy founder Kami Cothrun. "Chris has been with us for six years, and is a huge part of our school family. What he witnessed in trying to save his mom, having autism, it's tough, and we instantly knew we needed to help them."

The woman who died was identified as Cindy Freimuth, a strong woman who had fought off Stage 4 cancer.

"They wouldn't let me see her. Now I'm never going to see her again," said Don Freimuth, Cindy's husband.

It was Cindy's son, Chris who was in the room and tried to save his mother, but couldn't.

"I can't really stop myself from picturing it. When I heard that he was -- bad enough that it happened at all, but the fact that he was really in the trenches to try and save his mom is heartbreaking," said Cothrun.

The heartbreak of that image has stayed with those who know the 17-year old the most.

"We're just trying to put the pieces together and trying to plan for Chris' return, to make sure that he has all the support that he needs from his friends and his teachers," said Cothrun.

"It was a lot for Chris, over the years, to deal with," said Kathy Britton, Director of Admissions. "He's had tremendous support here as far as really being able to talk about it if he wants to, but he very very much is going to miss his mom."

GoFundMe for the Freimuth Family
https://www.gofundme.com/freimuth-family-tragedy