Crime & Safety
Westfield Teen ID'd In Fatal House Fire
Breaking: Jake Tooley, 19, a Monmouth University student died in the fire. A fundraising site has been set up to help his family.
WESTFIELD, NJ — Nineteen-year-old Jake Tooley has been identified as the teenager who died in the house fire on Prospect Street in Westfield early Monday morning, according to Tooley's brother Sam.
Jake graduated from Westfield High School in 2016 and was going to be a sophomore at Monmouth University this coming fall semester.
"He was an amazing young man who had been through a lot with me. We lost our Dad last November very suddenly. Jake was strong through it all," Sam told Patch.
Find out what's happening in Westfieldfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
A GoFundMe website has been created for the Tooley family, which has already raised more than $84,000 in the past 7 hours.
In the fire, the family also lost their puppy, Moo, along with nearly all of their possessions, as well as their everyday necessities.
Find out what's happening in Westfieldfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"All donations will be given directly to the Tooleys to aid them in regaining their everyday necessities and assist them in their continued move forward as a family," the GoFundMe website stated.
The call for the three-alarm fire came in at 2:46 a.m. at the home on the 1200 block of Prospect Street. Three people were inside at the time of the fire. Two escaped and Jake was found dead on the second floor, Westfield Fire Chief David Kelly said.
- See Related: Westfield House Fire Kills Teenager
Outreach from friends, family, neighbors and Monmouth University's fraternities has been pouring in over social media.
Rest easy Jake, you will be missed by everyone who knew youhttps://t.co/SbVIgo6pYH
— Thomas Pickthall (@SirThomasHealey) August 28, 2017
We are saddened to hear about the loss of fellow hawk Jake Tooley. We would like to extend our condolences out to the Tooley family
— MU Sigma Pi (@SigmaPiMU) August 28, 2017
Devastated by the tragic passing of Jake Tooley. 21 is to young 2 go. #sadtweet
— Funkyphill99 (@PhillMendel) August 28, 2017
Truly saddened to hear about the loss of our peer Jake Tooley. Sending our love & condolences to the Tooley family and friends, Rest Easy
— ΦΣΣ • MU (@PhiSigmaSigmaMU) August 28, 2017
So sad we grew up together and now you're gone. I'll never forget your smile and your kindness. Rest In Peace Jake Tooley
— emmalee (@Emmalee_Maria) August 28, 2017
If you can donate to the Tooley family, they lost everything in a fire today, worst of all, their youngest, jake. https://t.co/c5XtA1ZSiO
— pink ranger (@kimlesno) August 28, 2017
(Image via GoFundMe website)
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