GoFundMe Raises $19K For 'Selfless' LI Family After Tragic House Fire

ISLIP TERRACE, NY — A Long Island community has raised more than $19,000 after a family's home caught fire on Sunday, leaving one woman and three dogs injured.

Michaila Dattero, 24, of Great River, and creator of the "Watson, Calomino-Piniella Family House Fire" GoFundMe fundraiser, spoke with Patch about how the fire has affected her family friend's home.

She told Patch that her and Hannah Watson, a resident of the charred home, have been best friends since the third grade. The two share birthdays only five days apart, she said, and even have matching tattoos.

"Her whole family means the whole world to me," she said.

According to Dattero, Hannah lived in the house with her sister, Emma Watson, 19, her mother, Tara Calomino-Piniella, and her stepfather, Frank Piniella.

Around 11 a.m. on Sunday, Islip Terrace firefighters responded to a 911 call placed by Emma Watson, whose house caught on fire. Emma was the only person in the house at the time of the fire, Dattero said.

First responders broke the basement window of the house and helped Emma get out of the house. She was taken to a hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries, according to authorities.

Paul Watson, Emma and Hannah's father, stayed with Emma in the hospital, Dattero said.

Firefighters also found the family's three dogs — Brutus, Luna and Theo — and brought them out of the fire. Off-duty Suffolk County police officer Jared Gunst and volunteer firefighters at the scene provided medical treatment to two of the dogs. All three are expected to survive, authorities said.

Dattero told Patch that Hannah had called her, sobbing, once she discovered the terrible news.

"I stopped dead in my tracks and just drove as fast as I could over there," she said. "You don't expect these things to happen to people that you're closest to."

The family is currently staying with relatives, Dattero said, and are facing expensive veterinary bills. This inspired her to create a GoFundMe

"I consider them my second family, and they are just the most amazing, kind, selfless people you'll ever meet," she said. "So when I heard this happened, I immediately took action."

In a little over 48 hours, the GoFundMe has raised $19,753 out of a goal of $50,000, as of Tuesday evening.

"The money is just for them to get back on their feet and start building up this house that they've lived in for years and years," she said. "To see everything that you've built as a family go down in flames, it's heartbreaking."

Dattero said she is amazed at how much the community has donated in such a short amount of time.

"Family means everything to them, the dogs included," she said. "I know that if the tables were turned, they would do anything to help anyone in need."

She and the family also expressed their gratitude for the first responders who rescued Emma and their beloved dogs.

"Your courage and determination are truly inspiring," she said.

Dattero also emphasized that Hannah is "like a sister" to her, and is following through on the symbolic meaning of their tattoos.

"In the past, present, and future, I will always be there for you," she said.

To donate to the GoFundMe, click here.