Beloved Puppy Dies In Fire, Community Rallies Around Stratford Family

STRATFORD, CT — The community is rallying around a Stratford family after a two-alarm fire destroyed their home, and claimed the life of their beloved puppy.

The fire broke out around 10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 26 on Wilbar Drive in Stratford. Crews extinguished the fire, but officials said the family dog died in the fire.

No other injuries were reported, according to officials.

Jamie DeVitto launched a GoFundMe campaign in support of her brother and sister-in-law, Matt and Erica DeVitto, after the devastating fire.

“This wasn't just a house they bought, it was built by Matt's grandfather,” Jamie DeVitto wrote in the post on GoFundMe. “His father was raised there. We spent holidays there and all of our children grew up going to that house. The memories we ALL have there are so warm and special. When his grandparents passed, Matt wanted to keep the house in our family so him and Erica bought it.

“Thankfully no one was home when the fire started but their puppy, sweet Bear was inside the house. Poor little Bear lost his short but beautiful life to smoke inhalation. This dog had become the highlight of their family in the last few months as our pets always do. He was so very loved! The house and things can be replaced, but not a life, human or animal.”

DeVitto said Matt and Erica, along with their three young children, are left with “nothing but the clothes on their back and broken hearts.”

“But the memories of their home will forever be with them and they will rebuild,” she wrote. “But in the meantime, they need our help.”

More than $87,000 has been raised within the first three days of the GoFundMe campaign (as of Monday afternoon).

For more information, or to make a donation, visit the GoFundMe page here.