Crime & Safety

Support Sought For Family Hurt By 'Devastating' House Fire In Somerset County

A GoFundMe has been set up for the Natale family after a house fire broke out, with the mom and three children(ages 1, 2, and 5) inside.

Firefighters at a structure fire on Helene Place near the Bradley Gardens section of Bridgewater on Monday.
Firefighters at a structure fire on Helene Place near the Bradley Gardens section of Bridgewater on Monday. (Raritan Borough Fire Department Chief Brian Kredatus)

RARITAN, NJ — The community is coming together for a Raritan family after a devastating fire destroyed their home and injured the mom along with three young children on Monday.

The fire was reported at around 2 p.m. at a home on Helene Place near the Bradley Gardens section of Bridgewater, where Codilyn and her three children, ages 1, 2, and 5, were inside.

The 2-year-old child suffered burns to one of her arms and was taken to a local hospital. The 1-year-old child, the 5-year-old child, and Codilyn were also treated for smoke inhalation.

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"In a matter of minutes, everything they owned — their belongings, clothes, toys, and irreplaceable memories — was lost in the flames," wrote a family friend Cassie Leight, who started a GoFundMefundraising website for the family. "They are now starting from scratch with nothing but the clothes on their backs."

The family is in urgent need of support to cover the costs of temporary housing, clothing, food, baby supplies, and the long road ahead of rebuilding their lives.

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Since the fundraiser was started one day ago, it has raised more than $10,000 of its $30,000 goal.

"Your kindness and generosity can help give them a fresh start and show them they’re not alone," said Leight.

Leight is also collecting clothes, toys, and diapers(size 5 or Pull-Ups size 2T). Their sizes are 2T (boy), 2T (girl), and 4T/5T (girl). To donate supplies, reach out to Leight via private message on the GoFundMe page.

For more information or to donate visit gofundme.com/f/help-the-natale-family-rebuild-after-devastating-house-fire.

The oldest child also attends North Branch Reformed Church Preschool which also shared an Amazon Wishlist for the family at amazon.com/hz/wishlist.

A diaper collection bin will also be located inside by the drop-off door of the preschool at 203 State Route 28, Bridgewater.

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