Lightning Strike Destroys Upper Twp., NJ, Home; Kills 2 Dogs

A house fire started by a lightning strike destroyed a family's home Saturday night in the Palermo section of Upper Township.

Seaville Fire and Rescue Company Chief Steve Schaffer told
The Press of Atlantic City that the fire likely destroyed the house and killed the family's two dogs. There was no one home when the fire started just after 8 PM Saturday.

A GoFundMe drive set up to help the family says the Pinkertons lost everything in the fire. The family received a call that their house was on fire and found out later that their dogs had died and all their possessions were destroyed.

The home on Stagecoach Road is set back in the woods and was fully engulfed with flames coming out of the roof by the time fire crews responded.

The GoFundMe started to help the family had received over $2000 in donations by Tuesday morning to aid in providing clothing, bedding, and back-to-school supplies for the family's two daughters.

The goal of this GoFundMe is to get Chloe and Cora well prepared for the upcoming start of the school year and provide beds, bedding and bath linens. Both girls are worried about not having clothes and shoes and all of the things you would expect to start school with. We have reassured them they will be day 1 ready!!!! We are all realizing just how important the little comforts of home provide, something as simple as a hair brush and hair ties.