MANALAPAN — Members of the community are rallying around a family that recently lost its home to a fire.
Flames fully engulfed the home of the Scilluffo family at 16 Oxford Road in the Yorktowne development shortly after midnight on July 4, according to the Manalapan Police Department.
Manalapan Police Deputy Chief Michael Fountain said a 52-year-old male was treated for smoke inhalation and was transported to CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township, for treatment. A 50- year-old female was treated for smoke inhalation and was released at the scene.
A firefighter with the Gordons Corner Fire Company sustained a burn while fighting the fire and was treated and released at the scene. One dog, two cats and a turtle perished in the fire, according to authorities.
Monmouth County/Manalapan Fire Marshal Rick Hogan investigated the incident and determined the fire was accidental and not suspicious in nature.
“The fire originated in a home office in the rear of the house,” Hogan said, adding that the house is uninhabitable.
The Gordons Corner Fire Company, the Manalapan Township Fire Company No. 1 (Millhurst), the Englishtown Fire Department, the Robertsville Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1, the East Freehold Fire Company, the Englishtown-Manalapan First Aid Squad, New Jersey Natural Gas, and Jersey Central Power & Light responded and assisted at the scene, police said.
The incident was investigated by Patrolman Joseph DeFilippis and Detective Dominic Donatelli Jr., Fountain said.
Ron White, who is the administrator of a Manalapan-Englishtown community page on Facebook, initiated fundraising efforts to help the family.
Several days after the fire had occurred, White said about $500 had been collected for the family, in addition to donations of gift cards and free meals from the Lobster House, Freehold Township.
Through social media and by word of mouth, White is hoping to increase the donations, especially of clothing.
He specified the size of clothing and shoes that are needed. For the father, men’s pants in size 36×30, shirts in size large, and shoes in size 9. For the mother, size 8 pants, shirts in size large, and shoes in size 7.5 to 8. For the daughter, women’s size 5/6 and shoes in size 7 to 7.5. For the son, boys size 18 to 20 pants, size large shirts, and shoes size 5.
To donate, contact Ron White at 732- 208-3143.
On July 10, Locals, a bar that opened last month in the Yorktowne shopping center, 300 Gordons Corner Road, held a fundraiser featuring the band Fishing with Freddo. Patrons were able to donate to the family with cash or clothing, said Felix Weinstein, who owns the bar with his mother, Ilana Weinstein.
On July 13, Weinstein said $800 in cash was raised, plus $450 in gift cards, as well as 40 pounds of clothing and miscellaneous gifts that went to the family.
In a statement, the Scilluffo family expressed its gratitude for the support it has received, saying, “The sense of community, friendship and love have been remarkable. The family is thankful to everyone who contributed … with clothing, gift cards, monetary gifts, kind words, assistance of all kinds, finding help, the Lobster House, Locals, radio stations, newspapers, family, friends and acquaintances.”
The statement said the family is “finding new friendships, hope and love within the community and beyond.”