A firefighter was taken to the hospital for evaluation after falling at the scene of a two-story house fire on Bergen Avenue at around 2:04 p.m. on Saturday, Mar. 9. The Toms River Bureau of Fire Prevention said no one else was injured and two cats were found safe.
Firefighters were able to quickly put out the flames and remained on the scene for about 90 minutes. The home was ruled as an unsafe structure by the township's building department.
A GoFundMe page was created for Genevieve Elliott, a single mother with two children. Her fundraising campaign had collected more than $9,400 from at least 191 donations as of Tuesday, Mar. 12.
Another GoFundMe page was created for Krystal Kulyeshie and it had raised more than $3,000 from at least 64 donations as of Tuesday, Mar. 12.
"Her home and all of her and her newborn son’s belongings were lost in a fire," Krystal's sister Melissa Kulyshie wrote on the GoFundMe page. "She’s a single mom and has worked so hard to make a life for herself. She needs to start from scratch for herself and her son Phoenix. Krystal has other children whose belongings were also in the house."
Just Believe, an Ocean County nonprofit, said on Facebook on Monday, Mar. 11 that it was helping Kulyshie. The organization said she's already grateful for new work scrubs that she has received.
The charity is looking to collect clothes, baby bottles, and baby blankets for Kulyshie and her son.
"Your kindness and generosity can make a world of difference in Krystal's journey to recovery," Just Believe wrote. "Let's ensure she knows she's not alone in this challenging time."
Toms River police and the fire prevention bureau are investigating the cause of the fire.
You can click here to see Genevieve Elliott's GoFundMe page.
You can click here to see Krystal Kulyshie's GoFundMe page.
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