Donations Sought For Branchburg Family Of 4 Who Lost Home In Fire

Branchburg, NJ - All that remains of a Branchburg family of four's home is ashes and rubble.

A two-alarm broke out at a home in the Neshanic Station section of Branchburg at 12:07 p.m. on Monday, June 28 at the home of Marisa and Joe Policastro. The couple has two young children.

Luckily there were no injuries and no one was home at the time, Branchburg Police Chief David Young said.

The home, situated on a corner lot, at 102 Oak Crest Drive, burned for hours before being put out just after 4 p.m.

By that time all that was left was rubble. The Policastro family lost their home and all of their possessions.

Neighbors and community members are doing what they can to help the family. A gofundme site has been set up to collect money.

"Joe and Marisa are more than just friends, they are family to everyone. My guess is that if you have been friends with them at some point, they both selflessly helped you with something, never asked for money, and never asked for a favor returned. They have the hugest hearts and when anyone needs them, they are there," said Meredith Herold who set up the gofundme site.

A neighbor of the family, Theresa DeBellas-edris, and a wife of one of the responding firefighters in Flagtown, Karen Novak, have also started collecting gift cards for the family.

"My husband is a volunteer firefighter and in spending time with the homeowner yesterday we just wanted to do something for them since they're such a young family," Novak told Patch.

Anyone looking to donate to the Policastro family can visit the gofundme site at https://www.gofundme.com/2bmky...

Or gift cards can be dropped off or mailed to 109 Oak Crest Drive, Branchburg, NJ 08876 or with Novak at 908-914-1672 or 43 2nd street, Flagtown NJ 08821.

• Video by Northeast Bravest of the fire:

Responding fire departments to the fire included Neshanic, Readington, Country Hills, Bradley Gardens, Hillsborough, Three Bridges, Flagtown and North Branch.

The cause of the fire is still undetermined at this time and under investigation, Branchburg Fire Inspector Wayne Winsmann told Patch.

(Photos 1 to 4, Bradley Gardens Volunteer Fire Company Facebook)

(Photos 5 and 6, Readington Volunteer Fire Company Facebook)

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