Friends Join Hands, Hearts To Help Family Displaced By House Fire

SOUTHOLD, NY — During the darkest of times, the North Fork community rallies to help their friends and neighbors.

On Friday, a sold-out fundraiser will be held to support a family displaced after a fire at their Southold home in November.

John and Grace "Gem" Sweeney and their three daughters Laura, Rachael, and Elizabeth have been unable to return to their home, where they've lived since 1994, organizers of a fundraiser said.

The fundraiser is slated for Friday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Southold American Legion; tickets cost $25 per person and are still on sale. The event will include music by The Bracken and Joe Allegue, a buffet, cash bar, a Chinese auction, a 50/50 and raffles.

Although the fundraiser is sold out, it's still possible to take chances on raffles and a knockout pool; $10 per ticket for a 43" smart TV; $10 per ticker for a $200 Southwest gift card and an under seat travel tote — and there's a 50/50, too. Text 631-236-3227 for information.

The fire broke out in the basement of the family's Southold home on Nov. 7, leaving two injured and at least one beloved family pet, a cat, dead, according to fire department officials at the scene.

Peggy Killian, First Assistant Chief of the Southold Fire Department, said the call came in about the fire on Jasmine Lane at 11:23 a.m. The fire, she said, is believed to have started in the basement.

The fire caused an extensive amount of damage to the first floor of the home, Killian said.

Killian had a message for residents: "If there's a fire, close the door," she said. Residents should leave doors to basements closed, and close the door to their bedrooms at night, she added. "It can save your life," she said, adding that keeping doors closed also can prevent fire from spreading and gutting a home.

Southold, Cutchogue, Mattituck and Greenport Fire Departments responded to the scene.

Patch file courtesy Rose Anasagasti.