Township firefighters and volunteers are appealing to the community for help for an elderly couple whose home on Hope Bridgeville Road was seriously damaged by fire Monday night.
Firefighters spent nearly four hours at the scene of Monday's blaze, which began in the couple's farmhouse shortly after 5:30 p.m. Firefighters managed to contain the blaze by 6:30 p.m. and were able to leave the scene by 9:30 p.m., but not before the home had been rendered uninhabitable, according to officials.
Along the way, help was provided by the Allamuchy, Belvidere, Blairstown, Green, Knowlton and Mountain Lake (Liberty) fire departments, with additional support provided by the Blairstown Ambulance Corp. and Lakeland Emergency Squad.
"The residents are safe and being housed with other people, but what they really need now more than anything is financial donations, whether it's gift cards or checks," said Hope Deputy Mayor John Kruk, who also serves as assistant chief of the Hope Volunteer Fire Department.