An online fundraiser has been launched to help raise money for a family of four who were left homeless Friday after a swift-moving blaze twice struck their Easton home.

A family member has launched the GoFundMe fundraiser to help the White family, which includes Rachelle and Bryant White and the couple’s two children, Corinna, 23, and Bryant Jr., 16. By 1 p.m. Sunday, 21 people raised $900 toward the $2,000 goal.

Marnie Gava, Rachelle’s sister, said the family was able to escape safely with their pet cats, but lost all their belongings.

“They will need to start over with everything new,” she said. “Anything helps donation wise.”

Fire hits same house twice in 1 night, destroys duplex

The fire initially was reported just after 11:30 p.m. at 945 W. Lincoln St. on the city’s South Side.That unit was occupied by Fred and Charlotte Diehl and their five grandchildren, ages 17, 15, 13, 6 and 2.

Crews worked to contain flames mostly to the third floor with lesser damage to the attached 943 W. Lincoln, which was occupied by the White family, Fire Chief John Bast said Sunday. Gava said at that point, Bryant Jr.’s room had major damage and the attic, but the rest of the home was salvageable.

City firefighters used a thermal imaging camera to determine the fire was out and crews left by 4 a.m., Bast had said. There was no cause of the initial fire and fire officials were investigating.

But a second fire, now being deemed possibly suspicious, broke out by 4:47 a.m. Saturday and this time, fully engulfed the duplex. Much of the roof was gone as firefighters just after 6 a.m. went into the homes. Up to that point, they had been battling the blaze above and below from the outside. Stubborn flames flared up and were quickly doused at that hour.

Bast said fire officials continue to investigate. Both families are being assisted by the Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

 

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