How to Help Father, Son Who Lost Everything in Edgewater House Fire

EDGEWATER, MD — An single Edgewater dad and his son, a senior at South River High School, lost everything after their home was destroyed by a fire Monday afternoon; damage is estimated at $110,000, according to the Anne Arundel County Fire Department. Family members have started an online fundraiser to help Paul and Bryce Lerner with expenses as they rebuild.

A GoFundMe site has been set up to help Paul Lerner and his son, Bryce, who lost all their belongings and their two beloved pets. The goal for the fundraising campaign is $10,000.

The blaze was reported at 12:15 p.m. in the 3300 block of Oak Drive, with flames showing through the roof of the house. While fire units were en route to the home, additional callers reported that the dwelling was fully involved in fire. The first firefighters at the scene reported a two-story, single-family dwelling engulfed in flames, which had spread to a shed in the back yard.

Forty-six firefighters from Anne Arundel County, Annapolis City and the Naval Academy brought the fire under control in just under an hour.

No injuries were reported, but one resident was taken to Anne Arundel Medical Center with a non-life-threatening medical emergency, fire department officials said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation and damage is estimated at $110,000. The Red Cross is assisting two adults who have been displaced by the fire.

»Photo of Paul and Bryce Lerner and top fire photo both from the A Fresh Start for Paul & Bryce GoFundMe sites; bottom fire photo courtesy of the Anne Arundel County Fire Department