Community Corner
Hillsborough Family's Home Destroyed By Fire, Fundraiser Launched
Albert and Vicki Santelli were able to escape the fire on Tuesday night "relatively unharmed." However, their beloved family dog died.
HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — After a fire ripped through the Santelli Family's home, they lost everything including their beloved pup Teddy. A fundraiser has been set up to help the family get back on their feet.
The fire broke out on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at around 10:26 p.m. at their home on 604 Tall Oak Lane.
"The fire ignited in the basement and worked its way upward, consuming the family's possessions and residence and inflicting considerable smoke, fire, and water damage to multiple floors of the house," according to the GoFundMe website set up by Sarah Caraballo, a friend of the family.
Find out what's happening in Hillsboroughfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Firefighters were able to contain the fire to just the Santelli's home and Albert and Vicki Santelli were also able to escape.
Rescuers were able to get the homeowner’s dog, who was trapped on the second floor of the unit, out of the home. Unfortunately, the dog suffered from severe smoke inhalation and died shortly after, said Hillsborough Police Sergeant Jack Howard. Read More: Trapped Dog In Hillsborough Townhouse Fire Dies From Smoke Inhalation
Find out what's happening in Hillsboroughfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"My best friend Kristin; her father, Albert; her mother, Vicki; and her sister, Jess, are looking at months, if not years, of turmoil and grueling work to put their life back together. They have no home to live in and will need to rent an apartment or condo for the foreseeable future while (what is left of) their house is hopefully salvaged. Their possessions, furniture, memories, etc. that they had in their home are all destroyed," said Caraballo.
The GoFundMe set up less than 24 hours ago already has almost raised $8,000 of the $25,000 goal to help the family.
"We ask that you donate what you can to help support the Santelli family through this traumatic and devastating time," said Caraballo. "The love and support everyone is providing this family with has made them indescribably thankful and appreciative of everyone's generosity and kindness."
To donate or learn more about the fundraiser click here.
Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
