LI Rallies To Help Family Recover After Fire Guts Holiday Lights House
WEST ISLIP, NY — A house fire displaced a West Islip family known for their holiday light display after flames ravaged their home on Ruth Street in early December.
According to the West Islip Fire Department, firefighters responded to a blaze at Mike and Ginny Di Dio’s home of over 40 years on Dec. 5, around 5:20 p.m.
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Upon arrival, firefighters found flames raging that took around 30 minutes to “bring under control,” fire department officials said. Firefighters also rescued and administered oxygen to the family’s cat.
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Officials said the cause of the fire is under investigation by the Town of Islip’s Fire Marshal and the Suffolk County Police Department Arson Squad.
Now the community is coming together to help them start over again thanks to a GoFundMe organized by their daughter, Alexis.
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“They’ve been in the house for forty-plus years and a fixture in the holiday decorating community for almost as long,” Alexis told Patch. “My brother, Michael, and I also grew up there and it was hard to see our old rooms destroyed.”
On the fundraiser page, Alexis wrote: “A tragic fire completely destroyed the inside of my parents’ house. They managed to escape with one of two cats (the other escaped but is missing), but everything inside the home has been lost: photos, belongings, furniture, etc.
“Their house is also often mentioned in lists of holiday lights to go check out each year, so it is sad to not be able to be a part of that this year.
“This has caused overwhelming emotional & financial stress as they will be unable to spend the holidays at home and are displaced for the foreseeable future. These donations will help with the stress of relocating and allow them to begin getting back on their feet while waiting for insurance to kick in.”
Alexis continued, writing that her parents can use any help with temporary housing, food and clothing, vet bills for the cat, replacing essentials, and working towards rebuilding their home.
Click here to help the DiDio family.
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