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Neighbors Raise Thousands For 60+ Residents Displaced By Easton Blaze

In the 48 hours since a major fire displaced dozens of residents from a rowhome block in Easton, community members have raised thousands of dollars on their neighbors' behalf. 

Scenes and victims of the Ferry Street Fire in Easton on Monday, May 29.

Scenes and victims of the Ferry Street Fire in Easton on Monday, May 29.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of GoFundMe

Fire crews rushed to the 900 block of Ferry Street in the city's West Ward around 3:45 p.m. on Monday, May 29, Daily Voice reported

Though the Easton Fire Department had reported no civilian injuries, the blaze reached six alarms and burned for as many hours, officials said. By the time it was extinguished, as many as 60 Easton residents had been displaced, according to volunteer organizers. 

Now, in a series of GoFundMe campaigns, neighbors and loved ones are stepping up to help the displaced residents figure out the next steps. 

Samantha and Emily Juchem have raised a staggering $5,000 in the two days since the fire. 

The pair say they have been in contact with the Lehigh Valley Red Cross and plan to give the money to United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley when their campaign wraps up on Saturday, June 3. 

From there, United Way will handle distributing the funds to victims, the Juchems say. 

They've also compiled a list of community organizations accepting donations and needed items for survivors, which can be found on their GoFundMe page

"To communities near and far—we are all neighbors at the end of the day," Samantha wrote. 

For its part, the American Red Cross says caseworkers are coordinating closely with "community partners" to direct resources and assist affected residents. 

Read below for more GoFundMe campaigns to benefit the survivors of the Easton fire:

Jemima Arcos says she and her family lost their home, their two cats, and their two pet birds on Monday. She is raising money so she and her wheelchair-bound father can start to rebuild, she writes. 

Kayla Kemmerer is raising money for her sister and her fiance, who she says lost everything besides their pets and the clothes on their backs. 

Jessica Cahill is raising money for her sister Bethany. Along with her 11-month-old daughter Finley and partner Tyler, Bethany lost a pet and most of her belongings and will need money for emergency housing, Cahill says. 

Shahara Rivera says her cousin and her two children were out of the house on Memorial Day and returned to find their entire block in ashes. It's the second house fire that the family has survived, Rivera writes. 

Tracy Jones is raising money for her mother, who she says lost all of her belongings and her beloved cat in the blaze. Jones' mom is also in physical therapy for a broken wrist and will need support to help rebuild, her daughter says. 

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