1 Day After Christmas, Fire Destroys Bergen Family's Home

The Mazza family just celebrated Christmas at their Old Tappan home. But Anthony Mazza, his wife, and their 1-year-old twins' time in the house was short-lived after it was completely destroyed by a fire Wednesday.

Mazza was sleeping when his wife smelled smoke and woke him up Wednesday, NorthJersey.com reported.

Only one wall of the house remains. The family just got the certificate of occupancy and spent Christmas at the house Tuesday, according to the report.

The family, along with Mazza's sister-in-law, got out of the house safely, but there is "nothing left of the home," said Casey Herlihy, who started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for the family.

Nearly $8,000 was donated to the campaign within two hours of it going live.

"This family has had a huge impact on so many people in the area, and we want to help them in any way possible," Herlihy said.

Old Tappan Fire Chief David Keli said authorities are not sure when the fire started and are investigating, according to the report.

A neighbor said the entire street is "in shock," about what happened, Daily Voice reported.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

Photo: The charred remains of the Mazza's Old Tappan house. (Courtesy of GoFundMe, a promotional partner of Patch)