5 Households With 11 People, 4 Kids, In LI Home Before Fire: Red Cross
MATTITUCK, NY — As the community comes forward with an outpouring of donations for those displaced after a devastating house fire in Mattituck Tuesday that left one dead, the Red Cross has also stepped up to help.
After the fire in Mattituck on November 19, the American Red Cross told Patch they have registered a total of five households and 11 individuals — including four children— for emergency assistance, including financial assistance. All 11 people registered are from the same address, the Red Cross said.
“Our Long Island disaster action team also provided care items, including blankets and toiletries, as well as recovery information,” the Red Cross said. “Caseworkers will meet with impacted residents in coming days to help connect them with longer-term recovery resources from government and/or non-profit partners.”
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Any residents impacted by the fire who did not already connect with the Red Cross and who need help with their recovery should call 1-877-RED CROSS (877-733-2767) and select Option 1, a Red Cross representative said.
Southold Town Police Chief Steve Grattan told Patch that “detectives are investigating all aspects,” of the case, and cause of, the fire.
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Southold Town Attorney Paul de Chance said he was unable to immediately comment on the fire.
Firefighters tackled the blaze at a Mattituck house Tuesday morning that left one person dead, one injured and families with four small children displaced, their home in ruins.
According to Grattan, Suffolk County arson detectives found a body at the home. The individual has not been positively identified, but is believed to be the missing adult male, he said.
The Suffolk County homicide squad is now handling the investigation, Grattan said.
The community has opened its hearts to help those left homeless: A GoFundMe, “Support Erick Morales’ Family After Fire,” was created by Audrey Dwyer.
“Early this morning, one of our local families suffered a terrible loss. A fire swept through the house of Erick Morales. They lost everything. On behalf of the whole North Fork community and Rafael Morais (community liaison), we are asking for help to support this wonderful, hardworking family in rebuilding. Any donation is appreciated and will be given directly to the family. Thank you for your generosity,” she said.
“The family is devastated,” said another local resident collecting donations to help. Adults plus four small children escaped with their lives but now have nothing; everything was lost, she said.
Three vehicles are also now gone, she said.
Clothing is needed for boys ages 4, 7, and 8, and a girl, 9. The 8-year-old boy can wear clothes in men’s XS or youth XL. Men’s medium and large clothing, and women’s size large clothing, are also needed.
Gift cards and cash are also needed. To donate to the GoFundMe, click here. To donate clothing and other items, email [email protected].
According to Grattan, a 911 call came in at about 9:45 a.m. about afire at a residential home near Sound and Westphalia Avenues. The first responding officer arrived at the scene within one minute and observed that a portion of the house was already heavily engulfed in flames and the fire was spreading rapidly, he said.
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One person was transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center for precautionary evaluation, Grattan said.
The structure suffered significant damage and collapsed, Grattan said.
It was not the first fire to leave families displaced on the East End in recent weeks: On Oct. 25, a fire ripped through a structure on Main Street in Westhampton Beach.
After that fire, the American Red Cross said they registered 10 households and 21 individuals (including three children) for emergency assistance, including financial assistance and disaster health services, as well as long-term recovery resources.
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