Here's How To Help Those Displaced By Sunday's Condo Fire

EAST HAVEN, CT — Thankfully there were no injuries, though the loss of a family pet is tragic. Still, more than a dozen residents of Countryside Condos cannot go back to their homes.
A GoFundMe page has been created to help folks.

But citizens have banded together to help families with donations. And one Countryside Condo resident who is now displaced posted her gratitude for the outpouring of support form the community on The Good Things About East Haven Facebook community page.

“As a resident of building 2 that burned yesterday at Countryside. I just wanted to say THANK YOU EVERYONE who has reached out and offered help! It's reassuring to see a community come together and help. It started IMMEDIATELY after the fire information got out into the community! Proud of my chosen town of East Haven! OLOP church is accepting donations for the people
The EHPD and EHFD were amazing. These guys worked so hard in spite of the cold weather, the high winds, freezing ladders and driveways! I witnessed the fireman who brought out the kitty that perished and he was so careful and respectful of the fur baby and her mom. There truly are "Angels among us" THANK YOU EVERYONE!”

On Sunday afternoon, a fire in one condo at the Redwood Drive address made three other condos “a complete loss,” leaving 16 people “displaced,” East Haven Fire Department Chief Matt Marcarelli told Patch.

First reported by East Haven police, Marcarelli said that when firefighters got to the Countryside Condos at around 1:30 p.m., they “encountered heavy fire that was wind swept endangering the neighboring condo unit and a starting a small brush fire.”

Marcarelli said that fire crews under the command of battalion Chief Chris Rosa, made a “quick knockdown ...chasing fire from the first floor to the attic.”

Firefighters searched the condo and everyone made it out safely, except for one family pet. But, he said that 16 people from eight different condo units are now without their homes.

Marcarelli said there is “extensive structural damage” to the building where the fire started and “at least four units are a complete loss.”

The fire was under control in around two hours, he said. Mutual aid from North Haven, North Branford, New Haven and Branford fire departments were needed.

Meanwhile, the people of East Haven have stepped in to help with the GoFundMe and boxes for donations have been set up at St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish, 355 Foxon Road.

And the American Red Cross is also helping what it says are six families, eight adults and one child, after the fire with "comfort kits" containing personal care items such as toothbrushes, deodorant, shaving supplies and other items a resident might need when suddenly displaced from their home by a fire.

In addition, a recovery envelope containing information helpful to families recovering from a fire, including tips on cleanup; notification of important contacts; dealing with damaged items and more was provided.

Those affected will connect with Red Cross caseworkers in the coming days to work on a longer-term recovery plan. The Red Cross can provide assistance through the generosity of our donors and the commitment of our volunteers.

Red Cross responders included Arlene DeGregorio, Susan Delgado, Stephanie Franco, Ehdaa Habalreeh, Millie Rios and Luigi Marchese.

Marcarelli said the cause of the fire is under investigation with the Connecticut State Police fire investigative unit assisting.

GoFundMe is a Patch partner.