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12-09-2023 11:36pm
Norwood Community Raises More Than $15,000 to Support Families Displaced by Multi-Family House Fire on Thanksgiving
Darlene Cancell
Editor
In Norwood last week, the town's General Manager Tony Mazzuco, Police Chief William Brooks, and Fire Chief Timothy Bailey announced that the Norwood community raised over $14,000 to help two families, when their home became uninhabitable after a fire in their multi-family house on the evening of Thanksgiving.
At approximately 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 23rd, Norwood Fire, Norwood Police, Westwood Fire, and Walpole Fire responded to multiple reports of a building fire on Saint Joseph Avenue in Norwood. Heavy fire was observed on the top floor of a three-story wood-frame multi-family home.
All building occupants were safely evacuated, but the two families, both with school-aged children, were displaced as a result of the fire. It took over two hours for crews to control the flames.
The American Red Cross helped secure temporary housing in a nearby hotel, and the Town of Norwood, Norwood Police, Norwood Firefighters Union, and Norwood residents helped with lengthening the families' stay.
A Go-Fund Me account was set up by community member Katie Neil-Rizzo to help the famlies with food, clothes and lodging. Since the time of the town officials' announcement of funds raised, another $1,000 has come in, making the new total over $15,000, raised by 299 contributors.
"With the holidays fast approaching, it is heartwarming to see the Norwood community come together to support their neighbors in need, said Mr. Mazzudco in a press release statement. "This ongoing fundraising effort is a testament to the Norwood community," he said.
