Charity Campaign Launched For Mahwah Family After Fire

MAHWAH, NJ — An online charity campaign has been launched to help a township family who lost their home and everything in it due to a fire that broke out there Thursday morning.

More than $21,000 has been donated to the Covello family via a GoFundMe campaign that was created Thursday after the fire occurred.

"Please be so kind to donate what you can to help this beautiful family," said Alexander Zaky, the creator of the GoFundMe campaign. "All donations are going towards basic needs to help them get back on their feet."

Friends offered their support to the family on the GoFundMe page.

"Why do terrible things happen to amazing people? I love this family. I'm so sorry this happened," said Jonathan Matthias. "Stay strong."

Police received a 911 call about the fire just after 7 a.m.; police arrived and saw a small fire in a room with the boiler in it, said Chief James Batelli. (See related: Husband, Wife Injured In Mahwah House Fire: Police)

Officers tried to put the fire out using a fire extinguisher, but the fire quickly spread throughout the rest of the house, Batelli said.

Officer Keith Iorio evacuated the family, a husband, wife, and their children, and got them to a neighbor's house, the chief said.

The husband got a minor burn on his hand and his wife was treated for smoke inhalation, Batelli said.

Firefighters tried to salvage what they could from the house for the family. Authorities are investigating the fire.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

Photos:

The Covello family (Courtesy of GoFundMe, a promotional partner with Patch)

Smoke pours out of the Covello family's house Thursday morning. (Mahwah Fire Department)