Fund To Help Holmdel Family Who Lost Possessions In Fire

HOLMDEL, NJ — A Holmdel couple with a young child safely escaped a fire at their home Monday, Sept. 25, but they lost all their possessions - even their car.

Now a GoFundMe site has been set up to raise funds to help them rebuild their lives.

The family was home Monday when they smelled something unusual. The husband discovered a fire in the garage, while his wife called 911 and were told to evacuate, said fundraiser organizer Mary Pahira, who is raising funds on behalf of her best friend.

Her friend grabbed her child, purse and went next door to safety, then raced back to get her two dogs.

"Luckily all three were able to get out and are safe," the site says.

Unfortunately they lost all of their personal belongings, including the family car.

"All monies raised will go toward buying clothes, furniture, a hotel stay, diapers and anything else they will need to help get them back on their feet," the site says.

"They would like to thank everyone who has reached out and/or donated to them. They are still currently processing everything and staying at her parents' house."

Right now they are focusing on their daughter, 21 months, to help her adjust, the site says.

"From the bottom of my heart I, too, would like to thank everyone that has donated. This is a surreal nightmare that could've been a lot worse for sure, yet still unimaginable to go through. Every little bit helps. The goal is to help take the financial burden off of them so they can start putting the pieces back together," the site says

As of Thursday, the site has raised about $17,000 of a $50,000 goal. Click here to go to the site to donate.

At about 11:09 a.m. Monday, Sept. 25, Holmdel police went to Holmdel Road for a report of a structure fire there. The fire was extinguished by responding firefighters and there were no reported injuries during the incident, police said.

Holmdel Fire Department and First Aid responded along with fire and first aid units from Hazlet, Union Beach, Middletown, Keyport and Aberdeen.

The incident is being investigated by the Holmdel Township Police Department Detective Bureau, the Holmdel Township Fire Official, and the Monmouth County Fire Marshal's Office, police said.

There was no update as of Thursday on the investigation.