Community Rallies Behind Newtown Family Who Lost Home In Fire

NEWTOWN, CT — The community is rallying around a local family who lost their home in a fire.

The Aspen Lane home of Arif Gjonbalaj and his family was completely destroyed in a blaze that officials say may have started in or around a fireplace on Friday morning. A GoFundMe campaign begun by son Ardit is nearing its goal, nearly a week later.

Gjonbalaj and his five children have lived in the home for seven years.

"My father, Arif Gjonbalaj, had a many financial hardships to get to where we are and our home was very valuable to us in our hearts because of his astonishing come up in a new country starting fresh," son Ardit posted on the fundraiser page. "I'm reaching out to the town of Newtown as well as friends and family for support in these dire times."

The response has been swift and strong. As of Thursday morning, the family had raised $27,297 raised of the $30,000 goal.

Ardit posted on Facebook:"The amount of support that I've received from my friends, family, and communities is just unbelievable and I want to come out and say on the behalf of my family and I that you all hold a very dear and special place in our hearts and we greatly appreciate everyone who has reached out and cannot thank you enough."

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