EASTON, Pa. — Easton officials are calling on the community to help two adults and four children whose homes were left uninhabitable by a fire last week.
The fire ignited in the early afternoon of Dec. 18 on the 300 block of Williams Street, with one woman and one child able to escape.
The family in the other unit of the same building was not home at the time.
The adult and child who were at home were taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, with the child still at the hospital as of this past weekend.Easton City Councilman Frank Pintabone
The adult and child who were at home were taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, with the child still at the hospital as of this past weekend.
City Councilman Frank Pintabone said he was contacted by an official at Cheston Elementary School about the incident last week.
As the schools are closed for the holidays, Pintabone requested that City Hall serve as a collection hub for the affected families.
Gift cards sought
Pintabone is asking for the community to help by donating gift cards from Target, Walmart, Wawa and other retailers in any amount.
They can be dropped off from today, Dec. 22, through Thursday, Dec. 24, at the mayor’s office on the third floor of City Hall.
Organizers are requesting only gift cards at this time, and are advising the community not to bring cash, clothing or other items, as the families do not have any place to store such items.
Pintabone has stated that anyone who can't make it to City Hall but still wants to contribute can email him at fpintabone@easton-pa.gov to make arrangements for pickups.
He said he did five pickups over the weekend.
“I just feel bad for anyone who loses their home to a fire, especially a couple days before Christmas,” Pintabone said.
“It’s just horrible for these kids… This is one of the reasons the city of Easton is so special. The community will rally together and help their own, so I’m very appreciative.”
