An online fundraiser has been launched to help raise money for a family of four who were left homeless Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022 after a swift-moving blaze tore through their Lower Mount Bethel home. A fire official has deemed the single-story home a total loss.
An online fundraiser has been launched to help raise money for a family of four left homeless Saturday after a swift-moving blaze tore through a Slate Belt home.
Bridget Wagner, the niece of the victims, launched the GoFundMe fundraiser to help the family, which includes Leb and Carol Riker, as well as their adult son, Chris Enz, and his 3-year-old son, Jameson Enz. By 6 p.m. Monday, three people raised $65 toward the $5,000 goal.
Wagner told lehighvalleylive.com the family was able to escape safely, but lost all their belongings. This included family momentos, such as scouting awards and trinkets they hoped to pass down to future generations. A new truck also was torched in the fire, she said.
“They’re very proud people, but when I saw my uncle break down at the kitchen table, I knew we needed to do something,” Wagner said about the fundraiser.
Lower Mount Bethel Sandt’s Eddy Fire Co. Chief Jeff Larrison said the home in the 6800 block of Little Creek Road in Lower Mount Bethel Township is deemed a total loss. Crews arrived at 11:23 p.m. to find the single-family structure engulfed in flames, Larrison said.
The chief added anything left of the home will need to be torn down. A neighboring home to the right of the fire also had siding melt. The cause remains under investigation, however, fire officials believe it started in a back corner of the house.
While the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley did help with the family with some things, Wagner said the family remains in dire need of clothing, baby items and gift cards for gasoline, as well as food.
The male victims need pants sized 36 waist with a 34 inseam and size 32 waist; medium, large and extra large shirts; and medium and large boxer underwear, as well as size 9 1/2 shoes. The female victim is in need of size 16 pants; extra extra large shirts; and size 7 1/2 shoes. The toddler needs wipes; size 6 diapers; size 3T clothing; and shoes size 8.
Wagner stated in the post her aunt and uncle lost everything they worked hard for. She described them as kindhearted people who would help anyone in need.
“They have that light that shines so bright,” she said. “But right now, that light is gone.”
The family escaped uninjured. Two firefighters, however, suffered injuries. They included Larrison and a firefighter responding from Forks Township.The Forks firefighter was hit below the eye by something, and Larrison was helping one his men with a firetruck deck gun when he missed a step getting off the truck and fell.
Larrison said he and the other firefighter were treated Saturday night and released.
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Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com.
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