Devastating Fire In Newark Leaves Dozens Homeless, Fundraiser Launched

NEWARK, NJ — A community fundraising campaign has been launched to help the victims of a devastating apartment building fire in Newark.

On Sept. 28, a devastating fire tore through a nine-unit apartment building on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, leaving 50 residents – including children and families – without a home. In a matter of hours, they lost everything: their possessions, their security, and the place they laid their heads at night.

Now, as they face the overwhelming task of starting over, they are relying on the strength and compassion of their community to help them find their footing – and Newark is rising to the call, advocates say.

The United Way of Greater Newark (UWGN) recently established the Newark Fire Relief Fund to help support the victims of the tragic fire. View it or make a donation online here.

The Newark Fire Relief Fund will provide direct, essential support to these families, helping them with security deposits, furniture, clothing and the resources they need to rebuild their lives with dignity. All donations will go to supporting the victims’ needs, organizers said.

“This has been a terrible, traumatic event for our families here in Newark,” said Catherine Wilson, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Newark.

“The United Way is proud to do our part in raising funds and partnering with our local representatives to help our families recover from this fire and rebuild their lives,” Wilson said.

“When tragedy strikes, Newark shows the strength of its spirit by coming together to lift our neighbors up,” New Jersey Sen. Teresa Ruiz agreed.

Newark City Councilman Aníbal Ramos Jr. also commended the community’s response to the tragedy.

“I am immensely grateful for the swift action of our firefighters and the collaborative spirit of organizations like United Way of Greater Newark and the Red Cross,” Ramos Jr. said. “We urge everyone who can to contribute to the Newark Fire Relief Fund and other initiatives that will provide much-needed assistance.”

“Fires are a tragedy in every form, but when they impact our families, friends and neighbors, the pain becomes deeply personal,” Councilman Luis Quintana said.

“In moments like these, the strength of our community truly shines,” Quintana said. “Together, we can help our neighbors rebuild and recover.”

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