The Jones family of Old Bridge is staying with a relative in Parlin after a fire destroyed their home in the Madison Arms apartments in September. Having lost nearly all their possessions, a fundraiser will be held on their behalf Nov. 15 in Woodbridge. OLD BRIDGE — The Jones family lost everything they had in a fiery blaze, but escaped with their lives.
Instead of tallying their losses, they are counting their blessings.
“We’re really lucky, because we’re surrounded by great family, and we’re surrounded by great friends,” Elizabeth Jones said. “It makes it easier when you have people like that around you.”
Having a newborn baby makes the ordeal that much harder, but at the same time, it is helpful in getting through the devastation, Elizabeth said. Samuel — who was only 5 weeks old at the time of the Sept. 24 fire that tore through the Madison Arms apartments, off Throckmorton Lane — brings his parents so much joy, and fills so many of their hours that they can hardly find time to be depressed.
“You have to appreciate everything,” Jones said.
Around 4:30 a.m. that morning, Elizabeth awoke to little Samuel crying and got up to check on him. She would hear someone screaming outside about 10 minutes later. Looking out the window, all she saw was fire. The blaze had started on the outside of the building and was quickly engulfing a whole section of the apartments.
Rousing her husband, Bobby, from sleep, Elizabeth asked him to get their two dogs and rushed to get outside to safety with Samuel.
“I knew from looking at the fire from the outside how serious it was,” Elizabeth said. “I knew it was going to be a miracle if we made it out.”
Since Bobby had not yet seen the severity of the fire, he took a moment to grab his keys, wallet and work briefcase before heading out of the building with the dogs. As he stood at the top of the stairs ready to descend them to safety, he watched the flames burst through the sliding glass doors of their second-floor balcony.
Since the fire started on the outside of the building, by the time the alarm went off it might have been too late to get out alive. Elizabeth used the cordless phone she grabbed on her way out to call 911, and as soon as she was able to tell the operator on the other end about the fire, the phone line burned up inside the apartment and the line went dead.
“We had to sit outside and watch all of our things inside our house burn,” Elizabeth said. “We lost everything.”
Everything included all of the gifts they had received for Samuel at Elizabeth’s baby shower; Bobby’s wedding band from their recent nuptials, which he placed on the nightstand each night before bed; all their furniture, photographs, and things symbolic of the life they were building together.
When they were allowed back in, they saw the true extent of the devastation. Elizabeth said she had hoped to be able to salvage a couple of pictures that hung on the walls. The walls were gone.
“Our living room was totally destroyed,” Elizabeth said. “The TV was melted into the floor.”
The only things salvaged were birth certificates and other documents in a fireproof safe, and a couple of pieces of jewelry that managed to survive the blaze.
Most devastating to Elizabeth were the sentimental things — Samuel’s handprint and footprint impressions from when he was born, a bureau given to her by her deceased grandmother, and all of her photos.
“You can never get back the things that people gave to you — the memories, the pictures,” Elizabeth said. “For a woman, that can be really depressing.”
For Bobby, as a provider, he worries about everything they lost, and how they will manage to replace it all, she said. Since they have been staying with Elizabeth’s mother, Gina, in Parlin, Bobby has suggested they get themselves a new apartment. With nothing to put in it, however, a move right now would not make sense for the family.
One family member was spared the trauma of the fire itself. Bobby’s 3-year-old son, Noah, was with his mother that night.
“It’s equally as devastating for him, because he lost all of his things as well,” Elizabeth said. “The first thing he said was, ‘Is the baby OK? The doggies?’”
It was only after he knew they were safe that he asked about his toys. Elizabeth said it was amazing that even at his young age, he knew what takes highest priority. Noah insisted on seeing the ruins left behind by the fire, she said.
Though it has been very difficult for the family, they feel blessed by the kindness of others. People have donated clothing and other items to help out, and Elizabeth and Bobby are immensely appreciative. “I’m so grateful, and it’s so touching, it makes you cry,” Elizabeth said.
Still, the family is struggling.
Luckily, they have a team of caring individuals working to help them get back on their feet. Bobby’s mother, Elizabeth, and sister Dawn, along with Lori Anniello- Narleski, a concerned friend, have pooled their efforts to put together a night of fine food, dancing and prizes in order to raise money for the family.
“It’s going to be so much fun for people,” Anniello-Narleski said. “I think it’s going to be fabulous.”
The dinner-dance and tricky tray will take place Nov. 15 at the Forge Inn, Woodbridge. For $50, each guest can dine on salad, penne a la vodka, a choice of roast beef or chicken francaise, cake and soda, coffee and tea. A cash bar will also be available.
After feasting, attendees can dance the night away to a mixed bag of musical tastes by well-known local disc jockey 10Supreme. Throughout the evening, guests will have the opportunity to try their luck for a variety of gift baskets and gift certificates to local restaurants and businesses that donated to the cause.
“It should be a really nice table of things,” Anniello-Narleski said.
Topping it all off will be a silent auction for a Jets football signed by Hall-of-Famer Joe Namath.
“Where else can you get all that for $50,” Anniello-Narleski asked.
Whether it is the state of the economy or that word of the event has not yet spread is unclear, but ticket sales have not been great, according to Anniello-Narleski. While some may feel they cannot afford to help the family, it will prove to be a win-win if they do, because their generosity will be rewarded with a wonderful night out, she said.
Just as local businesses have chipped in to help the Jones family, the event’s organizers are hoping members of the community will pitch in, too.
“I’m just hoping people can see, it could happen to any of us, or any of our children,” Anniello-Narleski said. “You really need to reach out to people in need — you might end up needing it sometime. It could really change their lives. This could really help.”
The Forge Inn is located at 1002 Route 9 north, Woodbridge. For tickets to the Nov. 15 event or information on how to make a donation to the family, call Lori Anniello- Narleski at 908-510-2746 or Dawn Jones at 732-546-6261.

