The blaze ripped through the East Greenwich Township home Saturday, March 12, 2016.
EAST GREENWICH TWP. -- A fire that ripped through a township home, injured a firefighter and killed three family pets over the weekend has been ruled accidental, according to the Gloucester County Fire Marshal.
The two-alarm blaze tore through the Kings Highway home Saturday night. A Paulsboro firefighter suffered a back injury when he partially fell through the floor and a second firefighter was treated after getting something in his eye during the fire. Both were treated and released.
As police and the fire marshal's office investigated, members of the East Greenwich community have banded together to assist the family who lost everything in the fire, including two dogs and a cat.
Homeowner Susan Wright thanked the community Sunday for their "outpouring of generosity and kindness."
Patty Platt, a township resident who owns Platt Farm Market, offered her family's business as a drop off location for donation and said the response has been "overwhelming."
"Susan was always a person to help other people. It was incredible. Now it's turned around and everybody is helping her," Platt said.
At least two individuals have dropped off large cash donations and many community members have donated household goods, toiletries, clothes and gift cards. A GoFundMe account for the family has reached more than $8,700 toward a $10,000 goal to get the family back on their feet as well.
"There are still people who are kind out there," Platt said.
Rebecca Forand may be reached at rforand@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @RebeccaForand. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.