Community Rallies Around Lower Bucks Co. Fire Victims

LOWER BUCKS COUNTY, PA —The Langhorne community is rallying around families displaced by a fire that damaged a duplex and sent eight people to the hospital with injuries Saturday morning.

The American Legion of Langhorne held a fundraiser on Sunday in which people provided piles of clothing and other donations.

"Thank you so much for the incredible outpouring of support," the Legion said in a Facebook post. "Thanks to the generosity of our amazing community, we have reached our capacity for clothing donations. We are truly overwhelmed by the kindness shown by Langhorne and our neighboring areas. While we can’t accept more clothes at this time, we are still gratefully accepting cash and gift card donations to help support those in need. Your contributions continue to make a big impact. Thank you once again for your amazing kindness and generosity!”

The Pennsylvania State Police and the Middletown Fire & Emergency Services is investigating the three-alarm fire in the 100 block of West Richardson Avenue. Fire crews found heavy fire showing from a duplex with entrapment.

Mike Barnes and his family posted a message on the Bensalem Volunteer Fire Department Facebook page about how it was "quite an emotional weekend for our family and many of our neighbors in Langhorne.

"The fire that has displaced an entire family and a few of their family members who still remain hospitalized has truly evoked many strong emotions over the last 36 hours from our Langhorne extended family and beyond," Barnes said. "We are so grateful to the entire community who has rallied around this wonderful family by providing immediate financial assistance, clothing, and food they will need in the days ahead with the many collections taking place especially the one organized at the Langhorne Soby Post. When tragedy strikes our neighbors, it is our community that always comes together in a big way to wrap their arms around them in every way they possibly can."

Barnes said his family will be joining neighbors to organize a fundraising event that will help out the families in the long term.

"Most importantly, we would like to thank the First Responders who continually go above and beyond to ensure those in danger at the scenes of fires and accidents will do whatever it takes to save lives," Barnes said.

U.S. Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick praised the "extraordinary men and women of our Bucks County fire companies and first responders" in battling the blaze and rescuing residents.

Among the fire crews and emergency personnel were the Langhorne-Middletown Fire Company, Parkland Fire Company, Penndel Volunteer Fire Company #1, Station 8, Penndel-Middletown Emergency Squad, Middletown Fire & Emergency Services, and Newtown Fire Rescue.

"Our hearts and prayers are with the victims as they begin to recover from this tragedy. We pray for their swift and full recovery and stand ready as a community to support them in every way possible," Fitzpatrick said.

(American Legion of Langhorne)