Neighborhood rallies behind woman who lost childhood home in South Orange, New Jersey fire

SOUTH ORANGE, New Jersey (WABC) — Tears streamed down Stephanie Staszak’s face after her childhood home in South Orange, New Jersey went up in flames.

“I had three dogs in there. And one of them just passed, and the other one is not doing good,” she said, “I left home to go get my haircut…and my neighbor called me and said ‘your house is on fire.’”

Crews from South Essex, Millburn, Newark and West Orange all responded to 365 Melrose Place after noon on Saturday.

Officials say medics rushed one firefighter to the hospital.

Sisters Tina and Luisa live across the street.

“I saw near our neighbor’s house. There was rising smoke,” said Luisa.

“We smelled smoke and like, we, that was something in our house when we saw neighbors outside talking,” added Tina.

Community members say they are rallying behind Staszak.

“It was heartening, actually, to see how quickly everyone came to respond,” said neighbor Lauren Charlotte.

Neighbors also set up a GoFundMe to help Staszak.

As for Staszak, the unknown is worrying.

“I’m sort of sitting here waiting to see what I could find out,” she says.

She is grateful for the support from family and neighbors.

“I’m as good as I can be for right now,” she adds.

Staszak was able to save a few treasured items in the middle of the rubble – like a family photo with her mom holding her brother. She is cherishing a life once lived at the home as loved ones and neighbors helped keep her spirits up

The Red Cross was at the scene offering assistance to Staszack.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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