'We're Practically Broken': Displaced Families Starting Anew After Gloucester Twp. Fire

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — Days after a fire torched a Gloucester Township apartment building, more than 100 residents who became homeless have been forced to start anew.

The three-alarm blaze injured five people, one critically, and damaged 42 units early Saturday in the "C" Building of the Autumn Ridge Apartments. First responders rescued entrapped residents while others evacuated. Other tenants had been out enjoying Halloween fun and weekend plans when they found out they lost everything.

• Read more: 3-Alarm Fire Torches Gloucester Township Apartment Complex, 5 Injured

Building resident Jenay Santos wasn't home during the fire, which destroyed everything but her Halloween costume that she wore that night. Her boyfriend evacuated safely with their dog, according to a GoFundMe campaign created by Santos's sister.

"She lost everything she has," Maribel Santos said on the GoFundMe page, which has generated $50 toward its $3,000 goal as of this writing.

Lindsey Shaffer and her husband, John, were at a friend's house when a police officer called and informed them of the fire. Like many of the displaced residents, they haven't been able to see inside their apartment.

"We're in shock, we're practically broken, but we are indeed alive," Shaffer wrote on GoFundMe. " ... But we are still displaced and even despite me repeating to myself 'maybe some of our memories are left' - in the mean time we have close to nothing and nowhere permanent to go."

The family's GoFundMe campaign, launched Monday morning, has generated $315 as of this writing.

Several donation drives for displaced families are underway. The Unforgotten Haven, a local charity, is collecting Walmart gift cards for displaced families to purchase essentials.

"Losing Everything you have is absolutely Heartbreaking," the organization wrote on Facebook. "Gift cards to Walmart will allow them to purchase clothing, Shoes, Underwear, Food, Toiletries and Pet Food."

Impacted families seeking help should directly contact The Unforgotten Haven by emailing theunforgottenhaven@comcast.net and writing "Blackwood House Fire Victim" in the subject line.

Autumn Ridge employee Danielle Murphy is collecting clothing for impacted families.

The following items can be dropped off at the Autumn Ridge leasing office this week during business hours (weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.):

• new socks (all sizes)
• new underwear (all sizes)
• clean, gently used sweatpants, t-shirts, hoodies and children's basics (all sizes)

The fire broke out around 2:15 a.m. Saturday, tearing through the apartment building's third floor. Several entrapped victims were rescued.

One person was airlifted in critical condition, officials said. Four others, including a firefighter, were brought to hospitals with injuries and have since been released.

The injured firefighter was a member of Gloucester Township Squad Company 88 who was part of the initial attack crew, according to Camden County IAFF Local 3249.

All "C" Building residents were displaced and received help from The Red Cross and emergency officials, police said. The building is still standing, but the roof and third floor sustained heavy damage.

The cause of the fire has been under investigation. Patch contacted authorities with questions about the incident's aftermath and will update as more information becomes available.