Friends of Michael and Beth Clover have set up a fund to help repair the couple’s duplex at 3213 Trail.

The property suffered more than $30,000 in damages when water from the Boardwalk Apartments fire caused its sewer to back up. The Clovers’ homeowner’s insurance company has ruled the damages are not covered.

“We’ve been denied,” said Michael Clover. “They said the fire and sewer backup weren’t related because they weren’t on the same property even though we have letters from the city and fire department, saying they were related.”

Clover, a truck driver, said he can’t afford a lawyer to take the company, Georgia-based ZC Sterling, to court. He’s asked Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger’s office to intervene.

Contributions may be sent to: Clover Fund, Douglas County State Bank, 300 W. Ninth St., Lawrence 66044.

Currently, the Clovers and their two children are living with Beth Clover’s mother.