Community Rallies To Help CT Family After 'Devastating' House Fire: GoFundMe

MIDDLEBURY, CT — A fundraiser has been launched to help a family who lost their Middlebury home in a devastating house fire earlier this week.

According to the GoFundMe, the fire broke out at the Larrandabure family's home Wednesday.

While the fundraiser's description notes the family is safe, "everything they owned was destroyed" in the house fire.

"They are now facing the overwhelming task of starting over from nothing," the description reads.

According to the description, one of the family's three children is currently a senior at the University of Connecticut and the other two attend Pomperaug High School in Southbury.

"Your support will help cover immediate needs like clothing, temporary housing, food and essential items," the description reads.

As of Thursday evening, the GoFundMe has raised over $15,000 toward a current fundraising goal of $24,000 after receiving over 170 donations.

"Any contribution, no matter the size, will make a meaningful difference during this incredibly difficult time," the description reads. "Thank you for your support."

According to additional information provided by GoFundMe, Stéphanie Larrandabure, owner of Ma Petite Bakery in Woodbury, is among those affected by the house fire.

A post Wednesday afternoon on the business' Facebook page noted the French bakery "will be closed until further notice" due to the house fire.

"My family needs to start processing a long journey to recover," the post reads.

The post also noted the bakery would reopen as soon as possible.

In a Facebook post, Middlebury First Selectwoman Jennifer Mahr confirmed the Larrandabure family lost their Carriage Drive home in a fire Wednesday afternoon and that no one was home at the time of the incident.

Mahr thanked the Middlebury Volunteer Fire Department and Deputy Chief Mike Von Kannewurff "for their exceptional response," as well as the towns of Oxford, Watertown and Southbury for their mutual aid.

"Engine 5 was credited with an incredibly fast response time and capacity to immediately put water on the fire, and this made a huge difference to the outcome," Mahr wrote on Facebook. "Thank you all for a job well done."

Mahr also noted her office will be coordinating donations of clothing, gift cards and other items for the family, and anyone with questions is asked to contact her office at 203-758-2439.

Those who wish to donate to the GoFundMe can do so here.