Family Loses Home, Pets In Devastating Fire In Wallingford

WALLINGFORD, CT — The community is rallying around a family of six after they were displaced from their home in a “devastating” fire early Monday morning in Wallingford.

Jill and Doug Papallo lost their home, all their belongings, and three beloved cats in the early morning hours of Nov. 16 in a “devastating house fire that required mutual aid from neighboring towns,” according to a GoFundMe page launched in support of the family.

Wallingford firefighters received assistance from the Meriden, North Haven and Durham fire departments at the fire on Huelstede Lane and covering the town, according to fire officials.

After Doug and Jill Papallo were able to get their four daughters out of the home safely, he went back inside to try and find the family’s pets, according to the Meriden Record-Journal.

The Record-Journal reports Doug was able to save their 20-year-old cat but their three other cats were later found dead from smoke inhalation. The family’s dog was also able to get out of the home during the fire.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated but it appears to have started near a grill on the back deck, according to the Record-Journal. The family could be displaced from the home for about 12 to 18 months.

The GoFundMe page was created by Jennifer Papallo, who wrote that her “brother-in-law, his wife, and their four beautiful daughters were able to escape with not much more than the clothes on their backs. Thank you to all who can assist during this difficult time. Any assistance is greatly appreciated as they navigate their devastating loss at the start of the holiday season.”

Nearly $32,000 has been raised on the GoFundMe page as of Thursday morning.

Read more at the Meriden Record-Journal here.

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