A fire in Delmar has left a family of nine homeless and without Christmas gifts.
Delmar Fire Chief James Kerr said his department was called to 70 Marlboro Ave. on Saturday afternoon, Dec. 15, where Laura Aldrich, her husband, and the couple’s seven children lived.
There was smoke coming out both the front and back of the home, said Kerr.
Thirty-five firefighters battled the blaze for over an hour before it was contained. The fire began in the back of the bedroom and spread through the house, according to Kerr. Firefighters cut a hole in the roof for ventilation to let out the smoke.
`The snow and cold made it a little interesting, but none of the firefighters and no one in the family were hurt,` said Kerr.
Aldrich’s husband was out Christmas shopping for the family when the blaze broke out.
`They lost all of their Christmas gifts, and obviously the family was devastated,` said Siobhan Gallagher of the American Red Cross of Northeastern New York.
The Red Cross is providing the Aldrich family with temporary lodging, financial assistance, food and clothing until they can get back on their feet. The family was renting the home at the time of the fire.
Gallagher said several neighbors have already asked how they can help.
`We have had inquiries from neighbors in Delmar who would like to help, and they can call our office,` said Gallagher.
The Red Cross will continue to assist the family to work with them to develop a recovery plan to return to pre-disaster conditions as quickly as possible.
Anyone who would like to help the Aldrich family can contact the Red Cross at 458-8111.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.“