Summit Grandmother Jumped From Burning Home. You Can Help Her

SUMMIT, NJ - The fire that destroyed a Morris Avenue home Monday has left a grandmother, her granddaughter and three great-grandchildren homeless and possessionless, according to Ameer Robinson.

"My grandmother had her home of 56 years totally and completely gutted by fire," Robinson said on the GoFundMe page he started for his family. "She moved to Summit in 1963 to make a better life for her family and this is so sad because there are so many memories that were made in that home my mom was raised there and so were my sisters and I."

The Summit Fire Department responded to a report of a house fire 59 Morris Ave. shortly after 9:30 a.m. Responders found the home with heavy smoke coming from it on arrival and initially discovered fire on the first floor, officials said.

Robinson told Patch that in order to escape the blaze, his 85-year-old grandmother Billye Brown, had to jump out a window. This was after Brown tossed one of her granddaughter's out to safety, Robinson said. According to Robinson, his sister Quadra Brown's fiance Stanley caught them both.

Despite the trauma, he said that when he spoke to her she was in good spirits.

"She at Overlook probably for the next couple days to monitor her," Robinson wrote.

Robinson, who lives in Orlando, Fla., noted that the fire leaves his grandmother along with his sister and her three children homeless and with out any possessions. Currently, Robinson said his sister and her children are staying at the Embassy Suites in Berkeley Heights.

"I'm just looking to raise money to help them in the short term so they can rent a long term residence and with winter coming I want to make sure they have clothes etc.," he said. "I know this is hard asking for help with it's the holiday season but anything will help even if only a dollar."

Those interested in donating can visit the fundraiser website.

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