NEWPORT TOWNSHIP -- A community is rallying to help a young mother and her children get back on their feet after a fire destroyed their home over the weekend in Luzerne County.
It was around 4:30 a.m. Saturday when flames broke out and destroyed a home on Depot Street in Newport Township.
A young expecting mother, Patricia Farrell, and her son were left with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
Melissa Cunningham lives at the top of the street in Glen Lyon and watched the flames take over the house.
"To watch everything go up in flames and not be able to get it back is scary," said Cunningham.
Since the fire, family members and people in the community have been rallying together to help Farrell get back on her feet.
A GoFundMe page has been set up online, as well as a few drop off locations for food, clothes, and other donations.
"It's very nice to see that people will do that. People will come together and donate to people that they don't know who are just in need," Farrell said.
Susan Shiptoski owns a business just around the corner from Farrell's home. She plans to set up a donation jar in her store, Susie's Red Caboose Floral and Gift Shop.
"I think it's a great opportunity for the community to come together and give anything that they can."
All that's left inside the damaged home are a couple of beams. Community members are happy no one got hurt and want the family to know they are pulling for them to get back on their feet.
It's believed that a wood burner caused the fire.
Fire officials tell us the house was full of flames when they arrived, making it difficult to battle the fire.
Neighbors think the whole situation is devastating.
"They are lucky they got their own lives saved. You can replace a house but you can't replace a life," said Steve Glushefski.
Farrell wanted to thank everyone for their kindness.
If you'd like to donate to the Farrell family, you can drop donations off at 141 West Grand Street in Nanticoke, or visit the GoFundMe page.
