$43K Raised for Family of Basking Ridge House Fire

Community members have raised more than $40,000 for a family who lost their home in Basking Ridge last week.

Bernards Township emergency services responded to a home at 221 Woods End for a structure fire at approximately 10 p.m. on Thursday, March 5, authorities said. The residents of the home were at home at the time of the fire, but were alerted by smoke detectors and were able to escape with the family dog.

Members of the Liberty Corner Fire Company arrived at the scene and were able to contain the fire after a few hours. Fire officials said the fire appeared to have started in the laundry room area and quickly spread to the rest of the home, causing substantial damage.

A GoFundMe was created by Cliff Gilman on March 7, to raise money for the Mahdavian family, with a goal of $50,000. As of Thursday afternoon, $43,348 has been raised for the Mahdavians.

“The outpouring of support and love for the Mahdavians has been overwhelming,” Gilman said in an update on the gofundme page on March 10. “$25k was raised in only one day. Donations have come from across the globe. The generosity from the Basking Ridge community has been nothing short of inspirational.”

According to Liberty Corner Fire Chief Peter Aprahamian, one firefighter slipped on ice in the driveway of the residence, but was not transferred to the hospital.

No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is still being investigated, but is not considered suspicious.

(Photos courtesy of Joe Friedman, Liberty Corner Fire Company)