Mourning For Victims Of Fatal Fire In Nutley; Fundraiser Launched

NUTLEY, NJ — The family of a Nutley mother and son who died in a fire last weekend may find a way to move forward. But in the end, nothing will bring back their loved ones, mourners say.

The fatal fire took place on Park Avenue in Nutley on Saturday. It claimed the lives of Amanda Russo, 29, and her 7-year-old son, whose name was withheld because of his age.

• See related article: Probe Continues Into 2 Killed In Fire In Nutley, Prosecutor Says

Danielle Furman, a friend of the family, created a GoFundMe campaign to help Russo's parents. As of Thursday, it has exceeded its $25,000 goal by more than $4,000. (See the campaign or make a donation)

“Growing up with the family they were always a close-knit family, always there for each other,” Furman wrote. “Everywhere they went, they were always together. As a community, let’s try to be there for them the best we can, as they would be for each other.”

Joe Caprio, a Nutley resident who was one of the first people at the scene, has also started a GoFundMe campaign for the family. (See the campaign or make a donation)

Caprio recounted the fire in a social media post written at the scene.

“I immediately called 911, got out of my car and started banging on all the windows and doors around the house to see if anyone was home. No one was answering until one final moment, when I was trying to kick the front door in, I saw a hand through the window on the door trying to unlock it. An older man emerged covered in soot and burns. He said to me, ‘my grandson (7 yrs old) and daughter are in there.’ I looked up the stairs and saw it engulfed with flames. There was nothing I could do. Would a braver man have ran up the stairs, I don’t know... I’m torn.”

Caprio continued:

“Just as I was wrestling with the idea, the fire department pulled up. I screamed at them that there were people still in there, and I saw them spring into action. I helped the man out of the house, and he was obviously in shock. He told me he was preparing breakfast when he noticed smoke from upstairs. He went upstairs and said the fire was in his grandson’s room! He was unable to open the door, not sure why... As I helped the man to the ambulance the fire department ran into the house with a hose. Moments later, the grandmother of the little boy came walking down the street, coming back from the market. Oblivious to everything, she wondered why all the firetrucks were on the street. She then realized it was her house and she just broke into tears. It was a terrible thing to witness.”

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