DE: Family of five loses entire home in fire, in need of donations

LONG NECK, Del. – 20 years of memories now turned to ashes, as the Matthews family looks to rebuild a life they once knew inside this long neck home. And although they say they have a challenging road ahead, they have a community that’s ready to support them every step of the way.

“Within 10, 15 minutes we stood here and literally watched everything that we own, the house inside 3/4 of it was gone.,” said Cathy Matthews.

Cherished memories, family pets, clothes, toys and more all lost in a Wednesday afternoon fire that left the Matthews family in complete disbelief.

“20 years of our marriage and all of our grandchildren’s stuff, our stuff, everything just gone,” said Cathy.

The electrical fire destroyed everything in it’s path, leaving Cathy’s husband and granddaughter just enough time to make it out of their house unharmed.

“My granddaughter is a hero to me. Because if she didn’t see the smoke and come and tell me, we would’ve been in that house and been burnt with it,” said Carl Matthews.

But Since the blaze, Cathy, her husband, and their three grandchildren they raise together have been overwhelmed with the outpouring of gifts and donations from their neighbors and community.

“They contacted my sister and just dropped by [with] stuff and just dropped it off at her house. I had a lady this morning drop a gift card off, I mean it’s just overwhelming,” said Cathy.

A GoFundMe page has also been set up for the family who’s home was not insured, in hopes of raising enough money to get them into a new home. And neighbors say there’s nothing they wouldn’t do to help.

“I just wanted to kind of jump in and do my part we’re so close to the holidays. We’re neighbors, and to me it’s all about neighbors helping neighbors and it’s all about a community,” said neighbor Krista Brazell.

For now, the family is living with relatives close by, but they’re hopeful they’ll soon be able to find a new place they can call home.

The Pot Nets Home Owners Association (PNHOA) will be at the fall craft and vendor fair tomorrow in Millsboro, where they’ll be collecting donations for the Matthew’s family from 9 AM to 2 at the Pot Nets Lakeside Community Center.

Other Drop Off Locations for Items:

Long Neck Deli (The Knight Family)

• 32362 Long Neck Rd, Millsboro/(302)-945-7575

Jenni Gems Outlet (Jen & Dave McMillan)

• 26850 Lewes-Georgetown Hwy Harberson, De/ 1-844-967-3748

Items Still Needed:

• New furnishings/household goods/ sofas, tables, lamps, TVs, etc.
• Laptops (3) both boys and Cathy lost laptops in fire
• Appliances
• Somewhere to store donated furniture/items until new home can be secured
• Gift Cards- grocery stores & restaurants
• Christmas presents
  • Jocelyn ->Peppa Pig, Barbie (“Pink”
  • Jordan -> Lego Ninjago & Spiderman/Superman/Batman Superheroes
  • Jayden -> Legos, Ipad, Books
  • *Ipads, Xbox, Xbox games **all lost in fire