Avenel Home Destroyed in Fire, Community Called on to Help Family

A Cornell Street home in Avenel was destroyed Thursday night and a family displaced when a fire swept through the structure, leaving it uninhabitable. 

Eight occupants escaped the house "literally escaped with only the clothes on their back," according to the mayor's office.

Emergency responders were alerted to the fire at 8:10 p.m. Thursday, according to mayor's spokesman John Hagerty.

Mayor John E. McCormac has announced multiple ways to benefit the displaced family.

First, the Avenel-Colonia First Aid Squad, 105 Avenel St., will accept donations of cash, checks, and gift cards today until 8 p.m. today, Friday, Nov. 8, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9 and Sunday, Nov. 10 and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon., Nov. 11.

Squad chief Robert Snowfield said anyone making a donation is asked to come around to the building's side door, next to the pumpkin patch. A sign will indicate the door to use, he said.

Checks can be made out to the Woodbridge Community Charity Fund, according to the mayor's office.

Donations of new clothing will also be accepted in the following sizes only: a six-month-old boy, a two-year-old boy, a seven-year-old girl, an eight-year-old boy, a 21-year-old woman, a 23-year-old woman and two young grandparents, according to the mayor's office.

"Thank you for helping us help this Woodbridge family in need. Our community always responds in a big way and this family really needs our help. Thank you in advance," the release said. 

A spaghetti dinner fundraiser to raise money for the family will be held from 2-8 p.m. Sat., Nov. 16, 2013 from 2:00 to 8:00 P.M. at the Avenel Knights of Columbus, 109 Morrisey Ave.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for seniors and $5 for children under 12, and can be purchased at the door, according to the mayor's office.