Friends Of Displaced Caldwell Fire Victims Ask Community To Contribute

The friends of a Caldwell mother and son who “lost everything” in a recent house fire are asking the Essex County community to come together for a relief effort.

The three-story, wood frame home on Hatfield Avenue caught on fire on Wednesday afternoon, causing extensive damage and a minor injury to a firefighter.

• See related article: Caldwell House Blaze Injures Firefighter

“Basically, the home is rendered uninhabitable and [the elderly mother and her son living there] have lost everything,” their neighbor, Kate Dassing, told Patch.

“Marcel and his family have lived in Caldwell his whole life and right now, Marcel, the son, is dealing with losing his home to a severe fire, a mom who is ailing mentally, and no homeowners insurance to cover the loss of the home,” Caldwell Mayor Ann Dassing said. “We are asking the community to help ease their burden by giving what they can so they can begin to put the pieces of their lives back together.”

According to Kate Dassing, people can help by donating gift cards to Target or Kohls, or by donating cash or checks. Checks can be made out to the Caldwell Welfare Discretionary Fund and sent to The Office of the Mayor, One Provost Sq., Caldwell, NJ 07006, or people can drop them in the collection box that is on the porch at 14 Hatfield St., Caldwell, NJ 07006.

Photo courtesy of S.M. Kent

Send Caldwell news tips to eric.kiefer@patch.com