CHUGWATER - Friends of a Chugwater couple who lost their uninsured home in an August 3 fire are planning a number of fundraisers to help them recover their losses.

Lilly and Lance Nilson are musicians who travel in a five-state area with a country western band, according to a friend, Bob Kelly of Billings, Mont., who is organizing the fundraisers.

Their home, located about two miles outside of Chugwater, was destroyed.

The couple was performing in Rapid City, S.D., when they were notified of the loss of their home.

Because of some changes the Nilsons were making to help offset increasing travel costs, the house was not insured, Kelly said.

Chugwater Fire Chief Tim Ash said Monday he still is looking into the cause of the fire but added it was clearly accidental.

Kelly said he and others decided to try and raise money to help the couple because they traveled so much they had no community connections other than with their audiences.

The Nilsons have spent time performing benefits over the years and have been otherwise generous to friends in need, he said.

Lance, he said, lost a collection of antique fiddles in the fire and Lilly lost many family heirlooms. Both lost their lifetime collection of music.

According to the couple's schedule, they will be performing with the band �Dakota Country� at 9 tonight at the Beacon Club in Mills.

The club owner could not be reached Monday to confirm if there would also be a fundraiser for the Nilsons.

The couple also will appear at a special fundraiser August 31 at the Outlaw Saloon in Cheyenne.

Kelly said an account in the Nilson's name has been set up with Wells Fargo Bank.

"If anyone wants to donate to the cause they can go to any Wells Fargo Bank in any city and donate to the Lance and Lilly Nilson benefit fund," Kelly said.

He said he and other friends of the couple got involved when they found out so many people in Wyoming had no knowledge of the Nilson home fire at Chugwater.