Engaged Couple Will Rebuild After N. Plainfield Home Burned Down

NORTH PLAINFIELD, NJ — Green Brook local Mike Carroccia and his fiancé Taylor Miller were just starting off their lives together when their North Plainfield home-to-be went up in flames. A fundraiser has been started to help this couple rebuild as there was no insurance on the home.

"We got a call at 3 a.m. and were told our house was on fire," Carrocia said. "We were told the house collapsed. By the time we got there, in 10 minutes, the house was already burned down to the ground."

"It was obviously devastating to wake up to that phone call and for our neighbors to have to go through this as well," Miller said.

The three-alarm fire started last Wednesday at the couple's home on Maple Avenue, which was currently under construction. The fire spread and damaged two neighboring homes. Jonathan Davies, 26, of Dahlia Terrace in North Plainfield was arrested in connection with the fire and charged with second-degree aggravated arson and third-degree aggravated assault. Read More: Man Charged With Setting Fire At North Plainfield Home

This home was not just the location of the couple's future but of loving memories. Carroccia met Miller in college. Last May at the vacant lot in North Plainfield Carroccia carved into the sidewalk, "Will you marry me?"

That lot on Maple Avenue is where Carroccia began building their future home from the ground up with his grandfather this past March. They were set to be completed and move into the home by Sept. 1.

Unfortunately, due to the arson they are not expected to move in until the end of the year or maybe January 2021.

Due to a lapse in time, the couple did not have insurance on the home and now have to start all over. A GoFundMe was set up by a friend to help Carroccia and Miller cover expenses.

"We are paying out of pocket," Miller said. "The house was a total loss and we have to start from scratch since the foundation can't be saved. I am just thankful the house can be rebuilt and no one was hurt. We can make new memories."

This past weekend friends and family drove out to help the couple begin demolishing the home to start over.

"We had so many people help to cleanup and support us," Miller said. "This is just a bump in the road and something good will come out of it. I have so much faith in that."

For now the couple will continue to live with family to save on expenses. They plan to rebuild and then focus on planning a wedding in 2021.

To donate to fundraiser for Carroccia and Miller click here.

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