Within three days of a four-alarm fire that swept through a section of the Maplewood Apartments on Van Ness Court, friends and others in the community raised more than $20,000 for one resident who lost all her belongings and her beloved cat, Seb.
Lucy Thoroman, a lifelong Maplewood resident and a 2017 graduate of Columbia High School, lived in one of six apartments that have been cordoned off since the fire that occurred on the afternoon of September 4.
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“I’m blown away, and I’m really, really, really touched by everyone’s generosity. People are just kinder than you can imagine,” Thoroman said of the GoFundMe, which was started by her friend Vivi Charlap. “It was the worst day of my life, and nothing will bring my cat back, but not having to worry about getting funds to get all those little things — like new glasses and shoes to wear to work and a mattress, all of that — lets me focus on healing and getting back on my feet.”
The damage to the kitchen of Lucy Thoroman’s apartment. (Photo courtesy of Thoroman)
According to the South Essex Fire Department, the fire was put under control after about an hour and a half with help from several other fire departments, and Chief Joseph Alvarez said one person was treated for smoke inhalation, one cat was rescued and Thoroman’s cat was carried out by firefighters after it “succumbed to its injuries.”
Thoroman was at work at Brave Floral in Maplewood when she got the call about the fire and rushed home.
“I think everything happened really fast. When I got there, there were already fire trucks and everyone had already evacuated,” she said.
Thoroman says she is lucky because her parents still live in town and she had some place to go.
The Village Green has reached out to the South Essex Fire Department for cause of the fire and for information on what kind of housing assistance the other displaced residents received and will provide an update when there’s new information.
If you know of fundraising drives for other displaced residents, please contact the Village Green at [email protected] .
Six apartments are cordoned off and five are boarded up. (Photo by Laura Griffin)
Thoroman said the GoFundMe for her reached its goal so quickly because Brave Floral owner Valerie Braverman put it on her social media accounts, for which Thoroman said she is so grateful.
For Thoroman, the generosity she’s received from others has helped her during “a dark time.”
“You know, as much as this has been so terrible, I’m very touched and moved by everyone’s kindness,” she said. “And I’m also so touched to see names of people that I went to elementary school with and people who I’ve taken orders from at the flower shop. People who I wouldn’t think would even remember me have shown such kindness and generosity for me.”
Lucy Thoroman with her four-year-old cat Seb, who was lost in the fire. (Photo used with Thoroman’s permission.)
