WERNERSVILLE, Pa. — New details have emerged about a Wernersville home that was destroyed in minutes last Friday, leaving a family with nothing.
Fire officials say the flames started outside near a ground-level patio. The cause is still under investigation.
Seven people made it out safely, but a dog died. Damage to the home in the 300 block of Mountain Boulevard is estimated at more than $350,000.
“I put myself in the same situation for this family because I have family and I have stuff and I have kids,” said Mohamed Marzouki, owner of Heidelberg Family Restaurant.
Marzouki said he reached out to help, first with food.
“I invited the family yesterday for breakfast here, and I invite them, too, for Easter dinner for the whole family,” he said.
Then, he offered help through a fundraiser.
“I feel very sad for them because they lost everything,” Marzouki said. “It’s not easy living in a house for a while, and in one second, losing everything.”
The fundraiser is set for Tuesday, April 7, all day, at Heidelberg Family Restaurant at 910 W. Penn Ave. Fifty percent of all sales will go directly to that family.
Support is also growing across the county. The American Red Cross is helping with emergency assistance. And now, a GoFundMe is also raising money for the family.
“Anybody that helps the people will be welcome with us,” Marzouki said.