GoFundMe Launched For Stamford Couple Following House Explosion

STAMFORD, CT — A GoFundMe has been launched to help a Stamford couple following an explosion and fire at their home last week.

According to the campaign description, Toni and Biagio Pietrantuono awoke the morning of June 20 to an explosion at their Woodbine Road home. The couple immediately rushed to get out of the house, during which Biagio Pietrantuono fell through some stairs and injured his foot.

Deputy Fire Chief John Pritchard said a neighbor called 911 around 7:30 a.m. on Saturday to report the house had exploded and was on fire. Crews responded and found the house was partially collapsed in multiple areas and the structure had shifted off of its foundation, according to Pritchard. (To sign up for Stamford breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

"The force of the explosion essentially blew the fire out and little extinguishment efforts were necessary," Pritchard said in a statement.

Eversource cut power to the house and firefighters used tankers to extinguish the remnants of the fire. Approximately 50 firefighters responded from the Turn of River, Long Ridge and city fire departments, Pritchard said.

See also: New Details In Stamford House Explosion

The GoFundMe campaign was organized by the couple's son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Melissa Pietrantuono. According to the description, the home is where they couple raised their three children and has been in Toni Pietrantuono's family for over 50 years.

"The explosion blew the house off the foundation and is thought to be a total loss," the description reads. "Toni has been a long term employee of the Stamford Public School systems and Biagio an executive chef in the community. They need our help."

The page was created the day of the explosion. All funds raised through the campaign will be spent on housing, food and clothing for the couple, as well as any other expenses related to the loss of home.

Later in the day, the page was updated to say Biagio Pietrantuono had been diagnosed with a fractured foot and given crutches. Due to the nature of his job as a chef, he will "probably be unable to work for some time," according to the page.

Melissa Pietrantuono has posted a number of updates to the page since the day of the explosion, including information on the couple's large number of pets and finding foster care for them.

As of Tuesday evening, the page has raised a little over $14,300 toward a $25,000 goal. Those who wish to donate to the page can do so here.

"From our family to yours, thank you for the contributions, blessings, shares and prayers," the page reads. "We thank you from the bottom of our hearts and will be forever grateful."

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