Friends Fundraising For Business Hurt In Suffern Fire

SUFFERN, NY — Former employees at Pine Knoll Florist & Gifts, one of the businesses damaged in Wednesday's fire in Suffern, have started a GoFundMe campaign to help owner Adriane Dianis rebuild.

"We worked for Adriane when we were teenagers and we've stayed close friends — that goes to show you what she's like and what she does for the community," Danielle Mastronardi told Patch about the fundraiser she began with Frankie and Natalie. "This is one of her busiest times of the year, too. I'm heartbroken."

The fire at 83 Lafayette Ave. started before dawn in a commercial building with five businesses on the first floor and two on the second. Firefighters were able to hold the blaze to the Halal Food Mart on the first floor and a large office space on the second, Suffern fire department officials said.

"Our fire department did an extraordinary job to fight and push back this fire. Their efforts saved the building from burning to the ground," village officials said on Facebook. "Our police department secured the scene as well as ensuring the safety of civilians. Our DPW helped combat the freezing cold by salting all area around the fire scene to keep it safe for all. Our recreation department opened the community center should a staging area be needed for the emergency."

There were no injuries, but the damage was considerable.

At Pine Knoll Florist & Gifts, equipment such as the refrigeration unit must be replaced and the interior needs to be redone, Dianis's friends said on GoFundMe. They're hoping to raise $20,000.

To donate, go here.

Nearly 80 firefighters from all over Rockland County helped the Suffern Fire Department, including volunteers from Hillcrest, Hillburn, Mahwah, Monsey, New City, Nyack, Pearl River, Sloatsburg, Spring Valley, Tallman, Tappan, Thiells, West Haverstraw and West Nyack. Many other agencies helped at the scene including the Suffern Volunteer Hose Co. No. 1 Ladies Auxiliary and the Ramapo Valley and William P. Faist ambulance corps.

Mayor Michael Curley said he and the Suffern village board would like to thank all of the mutual aid fire departments from all over Rockland county as well as Mahwah, New Jersey fire department who responded, and gave out a special shout-out to the ladies auxiliary who worked with the Suffern recreation department in the frigid conditions to supply people from the emergency crews and the businesses with hot coffee and donuts. "As a team we can accomplish anything and I thank everyone. Stay safe. SUFFERN STRONG. SUFFERN FIRST."

GoFundMe is a Patch partner.