Online fundraisers have been set up for four families who were displaced after a fire swept through their home Friday afternoon in the east side of Jim Thorpe.

Amy Kubishin has organized a GoFundMe for her friend and co-worker, Sarah Gallagher-Reyes, and her husband, Alex, along with their 4-year-old, 33-year-old sister with special needs, and dog. Their cat, Dolby, is presumed gone.

Kubishin said the family is being housed at a hotel in town and is safe and warm, she said.

“Their immediate needs are for clothing, takeout food (no kitchen at the hotel), and hope,” Kubishin said.

Kubishin said anyone who is interested in donating essentials or gift cards for food/essentials is asked to instant message her on Facebook and she will get things to them as soon as possible.

She said gift cards are appreciated for Walmart, food stores, Amazon, etc.

Kubishin said other items of need are as follows: Child — boy — size 6/7 (loves Spiderman); two adult females, 2xl shirts and pants, 2xl shirts and XL pants, shoes 8.5 -9; one adult male — 2xl-3xl, 38/32 pants.

She posted on Facebook a thank you to all the fire departments who assisted in the multifamily dwelling fire.

“The efforts and bravery of these humans does not go unnoticed,” Kubishin posted. “Those men and women braved the cold, wet, windy, smokey, and exhausting weather.

“I happened to see some of those men last night while dropping off pizzas to the JT departments (thank you Domino’s Lehighton). They were beat. Barely able to stand, tired, smelly from ash and smoke.

“Please don’t ever take anyone for granted when they say they are/were a firefighter. Thank them as you would a soldier or officer of the law.”

Kubishin also thanked Lehighton firefighter Koy Wentz specifically, whom she said walked into the burning building and got Gallagher-Reyes’ mother’s urn for her, as it would have been her mother’s birthday.

“It meant the world to her,” Kubishin said in her post. “You are a hero.”

As of Monday morning, $1,450 of the $3,500 goal had been raised.

Other GoFundMe fundraisers

Amber Finsel has organized a GoFundMe for a Jim Thorpe basketball player, whose family lost their home in the fire.

Finsel said Jim Thorpe Youth Basketball wants to help take care of one of its players.

“Our boy is now in seventh grade and he’s got a lot of heart,” Finsel said. “He’s a starter now on the middle school team, a bright and creative student, who is a great teammate, friend, son, brother, and neighbor.

“Let’s show him and his family how much we care and help them out during this difficult time.”

As of this morning, $6,185 of the $10,000 goal had been raised.

Nora Kattner has organized a GoFundMe for Coral Kattner along with her three children.

“All of her and her children’s belongings have been ruined by fire, smoke, and water damage,” Kattner said. “Please help us rebuild her life and provide a safe space for her children to call home again.”

As of this morning, $1,630 of the $7,500 goal had been raised.

Alanya Kuntz has organized a GoFundMe for her son’s best friend, Brandon Ryder and his girlfriend Allie who lost their home.

Kuntz said they are a young family with two small children ages 5 and 3.

She said the couple was able to get its pup and some belongings out.

“Please help them as they will need funds for a place to stay until they can get back on their feet,” Kuntz said.

As of this morning, $345 of the $15,000 goal had been raised.

The fire

The first call came in a little after 1 p.m. for a fire at 402 South St. The building was fully engulfed when the first fire crews arrived.

Owner Theresa Corripio said no people were hurt, but that she lost her dog, Luna, and her four cats, as she was only able to get one of her cats out of the house.

The American Red Cross Disaster Action Team helped 16 people (seven adults and nine children), according to Cristina Maisel, Regional Communications Manager, American Red Cross Greater Pennsylvania Region.

“In the immediate aftermath of a home fire, the Red Cross helps to meet the urgent needs of those affected, including resources for emergency lodging, food, emotional support, health services and financial assistance,” Maisel said. “In the days and weeks after the fire, Red Cross volunteers will continue to follow up with those affected to create a recovery plan to help them get back on their feet.”

Jim Thorpe fire Chief Vince Yaich said the cause of the fire remains undetermined and is still under investigation.

Yaich said on Friday that a Pennsylvania State Police fire marshal was called to investigate.

Crews from Jim Thorpe, Lehighton, Nesquehoning, Weatherly, Mahoning Valley, Lansford and Franklin Township fire departments responded, along with the Lehighton Ambulance. Penn Forest and Franklin fire police helped direct traffic.