Couple Loses Everything In Raging Fire, Community Rallies To Help

MATTITUCK, NY — Soon after a raging fire completely gutted a home on Rachels Road in Mattituck Saturday night— destroying the residence within a matter of minutes — the community is coming together to help a couple left with nothing.

Wendy Zuhoski, owner of Wendy's Deli in Mattituck, launched a donation drive to help her neighbors Ray and Sally Neighley; the couple, Zuhoski said, has three grown children who no longer live at the home and were not there when the fire broke out.

"Ray and Sally lost their house and all of their belongings last night in a terrible fire," Zuhoski wrote in a Facebook post. Gift cards and cash are needed, she said, as well as clothing and necessities; Sally, she said, wears a size M or L and Ray, she said, an XL.

On Sunday, she wrote: "Any donations can be dropped off at the deli starting tomorrow. All of your help is so appreciated. Our small town is the best. This community knows how to step in to help our friends and neighbors. As always, thank you!"

On Monday, Zuhoski said the response was overwhelming.

"The amount of help we get from this community when someone needs us is simply amazing," she wrote on Facebook. "I can’t thank you enough for everything that was dropped off today for my neighbors. We will continue collecting gift cards, cash, gift certificates, clothes and necessities to help them rebuild. Everyone is so generous! Thank you so much. Proud to live in our community."

Donations can also be sent to Wendy's Deli, 55 County Rd 48, Mattituck, NY 11952.

Firefighters were called around 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Mattituck Fire Chief Ted Webb said. They arrived to find the home completely engulfed in flames; it appeared as though the quick-moving blaze began on the main floor and worked its way up, he said. At least one person was home at the time and escaped safely, he said.

Suffolk County arson investigators were sent to the home, he said. No one was hurt.

Mattituck, Cutchogue and Riverhead Fire Departments responded to the scene with Jamesport and Southold Fire Departments responding to Mattituck Fire Department headquarters, officials said.