Fundraiser Launched For Danbury Man, Dog Killed In Apartment Fire

DANBURY, CT — A Danbury woman is raising money to bring her boyfriend and his beloved dog home to Ecuador after both died in a devastating apartment fire.

Irving Alvarez-Godoy, 38, and his dog Bengy died in a Nov. 1 fire at an apartment complex on Kohanza Street.

Jasmin Soriano launched a GoFundMe campaign to help Alvarez-Godoy's parents cover the costs of bringing their remains to Ecuador.

Soriano wrote that she discovered the two during the fire and called 911. Firefighters and paramedics responded, but neither survived.

In a tribute on the fundraising page, Soriano remembered Alvarez-Godoy as someone who could brighten any room with his smile and laughter.

“There was never a moment of sadness with him because he would know how to put a smile on someone’s face,” she wrote.

The fundraiser, titled “A Loving Farewell for Irving and Bengy,” has a $10,000 goal. As of Friday afternoon, it had raised $1,330 from 19 donations.

Soriano thanked those who have contributed and said any amount would help the family.

“Anything helps and we appreciate everyone that’s helping,” she wrote.

Donations can be made through the GoFundMe campaign.