Friends, Neighbors Showing Up For Brick Family After Fire Claims Home, Beloved Dog's Life

BRICK, NJ — Neighbors and friends are gathering donations to help a Brick Township family whose home was destroyed in a fire Tuesday that also killed the family's dog.

The cause of the fire at the home on Chelsea Drive remains under investigation, Chief Kevin Batzel of the Brick Township Bureau of Fire Safety said.

As the investigation continues, the community has jumped in to help. Tonja Pacheco, a friend of the family, has been leading efforts to raise funds and donations and created a GoFundMe campaign in addition to collecting gift cards to help the Livio family.

The couple's twin daughters are college freshmen and are away at school, and the couple and their 16-year-old son are staying with family, she said. Their son was left with no clothing beyond what he was wearing. He was at school at the time of the fire.

"The Livio family has been a light in our community for many years," Pacheco wrote. "They are the kind of people who show up without needing to be asked — whether it’s helping at school events, supporting their children’s activities, or just being good neighbors and friends. They are humble, kind, and hard-working — people who live with integrity and lead by example."

The loss of their home and their much-loved dog, Luna, "has turned their world upside down," she said. "The Livios would never ask for help, which is why I’m asking on their behalf. They need to rebuild not just a house, but a home—and every little bit helps. Please consider donating what you can, and keep this beautiful family in your prayers as they begin the long journey of healing and starting over."

The fire was reported at 9:09 a.m. by multiple neighbors, authorities said, and Brick Township police found the house fully engulfed in flames before firefighters arrived.

The Herbertsville Fire Company said one firefighter sustained minor injuries while fighting the fire and was taken to the hospital for evaluation.

Batzel said inspectors Joseph Sansone and Aubrey Borden along with the police department's detective bureau examined the scene and are continuing to investigate the fire.

The damage to the home was so extensive that it left the structure unsafe, fire officials said. The Brick Township Public Works Department was brought in address safety issues along with the township's building department, officials said.

"The Brick Township Fire Service would like to thank all of our mutual aid partners for their assistance on location and standing by for coverage assignments," Batzel said.

In addition to Herbertsville Fire Company, the following responded or provided mutual aid:

Laurelton Fire Company 1; Breton Woods Fire Company 1; Pioneer Hose Company 1; Point Pleasant Fire Department Station 75; Point Pleasant Beach Fire Company 2; Ocean Fire Company; Ramtown Fire Company; Bay Head Fire Company 1; Brick Township Fire Department; Brick Township EMS/Rescue; Point Boro EMS and the Brick Township Police Department.

Those wishing to donate gift cards can contact Pacheco by email at tonjapacheco@yahoo.com. Those wishing can donate to the GoFundMe here.