Fundraiser Started For West Islip Couple Who Lost Home In Fire

WEST ISLIP, NY - A fundraiser was recently started to help a West Islip family whose home was destroyed in a fire earlier this month.

The blaze was reported on Saturday July 14, a blaze at a Leopold Avenue home. Members from the West Islip Fire Department as well as the Babylon and Bay Shore Fire Department responded.

The fire took about an hour to be put out because most West Islip firefighters were marching at the Suffolk County Fireman's Parade in Copiague at the time.

The home belonged to Joseph and Barbara Griffin who were 27-year residents of West Islip.

On Monday, Joseph's cousin started a campaign on GoFundMe, the "Joe & Barbara Griffin Fund," to help raise money to help the couple.

"They lost everything but survived the fire. I am reaching out to all my friends and family to help them," the page reads. "I decided to start a fundraiser to help them rebuild their home and regain their lives back."

The goal of the page is to raise a total of $10,000 for the Griffins. As of Friday, the page has raised $2,725.

"So many things we take for granted in life image all your memories and things being taken away in 90 minutes," the page reads. "My cousin is a very hard working proud person and I want to help him in any way I can."

To learn more or to donate, visit the GoFundMe page here.

Image: GoFundMe.com/Joe & Barbara Griffin Fund