GoFundMe launched to help Morris County family displaced by fire in which two cats died

ROCKAWAY TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Morris County) — A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help a Rockaway family rebuild after their home was destroyed in a fire that also claimed the lives of two pet cats, according to the fundraiser’s organizers.

Emergency responders were dispatched at about 10:22 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, to a home on Circle Drive after a blaze was reported inside the residence, the White Meadow Lake Fire Company said. Firefighters stretched multiple hose lines and worked to contain and extinguish the fire with mutual aid from other departments.

No residents or firefighters were injured, officials said, but two cats inside the home — Onyx and Nova — died from smoke inhalation.

Family members said Raymond and Elizabeth, their children Josh and Marissa, and Elizabeth’s brother Louis have lost the home they had lived in for about 20 years and are now staying in a hotel while working to recover from the loss.

A GoFundMe page created by relatives said the funds are intended to help the family secure temporary housing during the holidays, including renting an Airbnb from Dec. 21 to Dec. 28 near their jobs and school. Organizers also said donations would help cover holiday necessities such as groceries, clothing, household items and basic living expenses as the family begins to rebuild.

As of Wednesday morning, the campaign had raised more than $7,900 toward its $9,000 goal, according to the GoFundMe page.