'Favorite Halloween Home' Lost In Bensalem Fire

BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, PA —Every Halloween, they would grill hot dogs and hamburgers for anyone who stopped by. There was also hot chocolate and munchkins that would be given away.

The Lighthouse Lane home became a neighborhood favorite for children and adults alike.

But not this holiday after the Patel family was displaced by a fire that gutted their townhome last Wednesday afternoon.

"This is the type of family they are," said neighbor Jennifer Carlsen, who has organized a GoFundMe page for the family. "This was my kids' favorite house. This Halloween, they will definitely be missed."

So far, more than $3,900 has been raised of a $10,000 goal on the GoFundMe page.

Carlsen said the Patel family lost everything in the fire, but were fortunate to all make it out of the home safely.

"Now they need to start over. They have no home, no clothes, no furniture, and all of their photos and memories were lost in the fire," Carlson said. "I am hoping they can use this money to begin the process of starting over and healing from this tragedy. "Things" can be replaced, but lives can not. So making it out safely is something they will be forever grateful for. In hard times such as these, neighbors need to rally together to help each other. After all, it takes a village."

She said the family was "truly humbled" by everyone's kindness and well wishes.

The fire is under investigation by the Bensalem Fire Marshal’s Office.

Fire crews found heavy fire and smoke on the first and second floor, attic, and the rear of the two-story townhome.