Coventry Family Asking For Donations After Fire Displaces Them

COVENTRY, RI — The family whose home was destroyed in a fire Tuesday afternoon is asking for help from the community.

According to Coventry Fire Chief Robert Warren, the fire started before 4 p.m., on the second floor of the house. Everyone escaped the burning house safely, but homeowner Joshua Machado said he's still struggling to cope with losing his home.

"I grew up here. This is all I knew," Machado told WPRI 12. "I grew up here my whole life. I'm still trying to get over the shock of the reality of it... I'm just glad everyone in my family got out safe and that my son was at school and he didn't have to see this."

Machado grew up in that house. He lived there with his mother, her husband, his grandmother, his baby brother and his son. The family has lived in the Oaklawn Avenue house since 1976.

Machado and his family told WPRI 12 they are staying with other family members. Machado's extended family are asking for clothing and other donations. Some of the following items being accepted are included here:

• Men's pants sizes 32, 34 and 36
• Men's shirts sizes large and extra-large
• Women's shirts sizes large and extra-large
• Women's pants sizes medium or large
• Boy's clothing sizes 14 and 5 (pajamas, shoes and jackets)
• Toiletries, food and other necessities

Those who want to give should drop donations off at the Olde Theater Diner at Sandy Bottom Road in Coventry. A Go Fund Me page will also be set up soon.

Photo via Coventry Police Department