Fire Destroys West Haven Home, Kills 2 Pets; Community Rallies Support

WEST HAVEN, CT — The community is rallying around a West Haven family after they lost their home and two of their dogs died in a fire earlier this week.

The fire broke out Tuesday afternoon on Winslow Drive in West Haven.

West Shore Fire District Fire Chief Rafael Zayas said two dogs died in the fire, and firefighters were able to rescue one dog from the residence.

Five people were displaced from the home.

Gina Amato has created a GoFundMe campaign to help support the family after the fire.

Amato said her best friend’s childhood home, where her mother, sister, brother-in-law, and nephews still live, was destroyed in the fire.

“Her family, my family lost a home yesterday but the worst part is they lost part of their family,” Amato wrote on the GoFundMe page. “Two of their dogs did not make it out of the home and succumbed to injury; one dog Gizmo did make it. The family lost their cherished Simba and Gidget who were not only pets but family their children. Gizmo lost his buddies.

“The home was a total loss and in there they lost pictures, clothes and everything imaginable. No one would should go through this yes they have memories but it will never be the same.

“I pray that Gidget and Simba are running the rainbows above and watching over their family as they go through this terrible time.”

More than $8,700 has been raised within the first two days of the GoFundMe campaign.

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

With reporting by Michelle Tuccitto Sullo