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Funds set up for Lansford fire victims

Online fundraisers have been setup for the five adults and three children displaced by a fire Tuesday afternoon in Lansford.

The fire broke out on the third floor of 505 E. Ridge St., causing fire, smoke and water damage to the home, and spread to 503 E. Ridge St., the middle unit of a three-unit row home.

Both homes have been condemned, and the residents are looking to rebuild their lives after losing most or all of their belongings.

Caitlin Schaller, who lives in 503 E. Ridge St. with her boyfriend, their three children and her brother, said she wasn’t prepared for the amount of damage on the third floor, only made worse by a rekindle and frozen water.

She escaped the home with her children, ages 3, 2 and 1, and went to her mother’s home after she said a firefighter yelled at her to move her vehicle out of the way for a firetruck.

Her mother, Catherine Hess, set up a GoFundMe account for her daughter and her family, as well as her adult son who was living with his sister’s family.

“They are staying with me, but with three young children and so much to replace, the road ahead feels overwhelming,” she wrote. “The kindness and generosity of others can make a world of difference as they work to recover from this tragedy.”

Hess said they’d be grateful for any support, whether that’s a donation or simply sharing the link for the fundraiser with others.

“Every little bit helps my daughter’s family begin to rebuild after losing everything,” she wrote.

The online fundraiser for the family is titled, “Help My Daughter’s Family Rebuild After House Fire,” on the GoFundMe website.

Schaller was not offered assistance from the American Red Cross immediately after the fire and has been in touch with them since. She is waiting for a local representative to reach out, she said.

Also, the property manager has also told her that she’d be getting their security deposit back, as they’re no longer tenants, Schaller said.

Schaller posted additional information on what they need on her Facebook page, including sizes for the children, Sean, Madison and Grace, and the adults.

Schaller also posted a link to a GoFundMe for the two men who lived in 505 E. Ridge St., and also lost everything. James Turner, one of the fire victims, created the online, “Help Us Recover from a Tragic House Fire.”

Turner wrote that he never thought he’d be seeking assistance, but he and his roommate lost everything.

“The fire destroyed our home and all of our belongings, leaving us with nothing but the clothes we were wearing,” he wrote. “While we are incredibly grateful that everyone made it out safely, we are now facing the overwhelming reality of starting over from scratch.

“Every donation, no matter the amount will help us take a small step toward rebuilding our lives after this tragedy,” Turner wrote.

This home in Lansford was damaged after a fire broke out on the third floor of 505 E. Ridge St. on Tuesday. TIMES NEWS FILE PHOTO