Fundraiser Launched For Victims Of Fatal Morris County House Fire

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — A Morris County woman was killed in a house fire on Tuesday afternoon in Morris County. Now, members of the community are trying to help her family in the aftermath by raising money.

Maude Elizabeth Syvertsen, of Roxbury, was discovered dead after her home on Mooney Road in the township caught fire and partially collapsed, according to Meghan Knab, a spokesperson for the Morris County Prosecutor's Office.

Read More: Elderly Woman Killed In Morris County House Fire ID'd

A second resident, her 71-year-old son, who has not been identified, was able to escape the house fire and was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of serious fire-related injuries.

Renato Capillas, a New Jersey patrolman, wasn't identified in the initial statement, but the Madison Police Department later confirmed that the victims were his family members in a statement posted to its Facebook page and a GoFundMe page.

According to the statement, two family dogs were also killed in the fire.

As of Thursday afternoon, Capillas' father, the 71-year-old victim, was still in critical condition at Saint Barnabas Hospital's burn center.

"The members of Madison PBA/SOA Local 92 will not allow Ren to walk this dark road alone. We are committed to bringing our great communities together and financially assisting him and his family through this unconceivable tragedy," the Madison PBA wrote on GoFundMe. "Please help us surround Ren and his family with a sense of love and support this holiday season."

All donations from the fundraiser will be directed to an account for Capillas and his family to cover funeral costs, medical bills, clothing and other necessities.

As of Friday, the GoFundMe page has raised $59,419.

"We ask for respect and privacy for the family, as they mourn the loss of their loved one and extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and all those impacted by this loss," Roxbury Police Chief Dean Adone said.

The cause and origin of the fire at the home in the Ledgewood section of Roxbury remain under investigation, the prosecutor's office said. However, police have said that the fire is not considered suspicious at this point in the investigation.