The American Red Cross of Washington County has helped the residents who lost their homes in the fire. Kauffman said a fund has been set up to assist those families.
He said town businesses would be turning to their insurance companies as their first source of aid, but other assistance might be available.
Kauffman called the response to the fire and the cleanup an "incredible effort," and thanked the more than 145 firefighters who responded for assisting residents and helping to preserve what they could of the downtown buildings.
"It was very upsetting for me to see the buildings go," said Councilwoman Natalie Mose. "I've seen them all my life."
She has lived locally for 67 years, she said.
"We lost two very historical buildings, and that's sad," Kauffman said. "But ... everybody, every resident in this town, woke up to see the sun rise the next morning."
Councilman Kevin M. Chambers said the buildings can be replaced or rebuilt. One of those buildings and the source of the fire, the historic Boone Hotel, will be rebuilt, officials have said. Longtime Washington County resident and romance novelist Nora Roberts, who co-owns the historic hotel with her husband, Bruce Wilder, plans to continue with plans to turn the building into an inn. The couple also has asked for a way to help residents displaced by the fire.
"Granted, we lost some, but we could have lost a lot more the way the wind was blowing north," Councilman Raymond D. Grove said.
Kauffman said The First Hose Co. of Boonsboro likely will hold a meeting to critique its response to the fire. That meeting has not been scheduled, but could happen this week, he said.
"This was a tremendous community effort to make sure that everyone was safe," Chambers said. "I think there is a lot of community spirit ... strength. I'm thankful that nobody was injured."
