23 Displaced By Ocean City Building Fire: How To Help

OCEAN CITY, NJ — After a Simpson Avenue house caught fire on Jan. 27, 23 members of the Ocean City community have now lost their home.

But non-profits and fellow community members are rallying to help those in their time of need.

El Pueblo Unido NJ, a local non-profit, has launched a GoFundMe raising money for the families who have been displaced by the fire.

According to the fundraiser, a complete list of victims impacted by the fire has been compiled by El Pueblo Unido, the Ocean City Police Department and the American Red Cross Assocation.

The home had a family a four with a student at Ocean City High School, a family of five with three young children, another family of four with two young children and ten other individuals living in single rooms, according to the GoFundMe.

"El Pueblo Unido is in constant communication with all 23 community members affected by this devastating fire," the fundraiser reads.

The second floor was completely burned and all possessions were lost, while the first floor was badly flooded due to the amount of water needed to extinguish the fire and is uninhabitable with lost possessions as well, the fundraiser said.

The building's third floor was damaged due to flames and smoke and may be structurally unfit, the fundraiser said. A rear cottage on the property was unharmed, according to the fundraiser, but all residents were evacuated due to a gas leak that poses a serious threat moving forward.

"All Victims of this tragic fire are asking for your help in finding and financing new permanent housing while they work hard to regain stability," the fundraiser said. All money raised will be split evenly between the 23 residents.

"We are currently working with countless other organizations, churches, businesses, and kind neighbors to provide hot meals, clothing, gift cards and hygienic supplies over the next few days," El Pueblo Unido said. "Please contact us if you would like to donate any of these items as well and we can connect you directly to the victims involved."