'Aggressive' House Fire Claims Life Of Sussex Co. Child: Police

SUSSEX COUNTY, NJ - An "aggressive" house fire tore through a home in Franklin Borough late Friday night claiming the life of a 13-year-old girl and the family dog, according to the Franklin Borough Police Department.

Shortly after 10 p.m. the Franklin Borough Police Department responded to Nestor Street for a reported structure fire along with fire departments from Franklin, Hardyston, and Hamburg as well as the Hardyston Police Department, Wallkill Valley First Aid Squad, and St. Clare’s BLS/ALS services.

After extinguishing the fire, the body of Heaven Davenport was found in what remained of the home, according to her aunt, Victoria Caravaggio who has started a GoFundMe page to help the surviving family members.

Caravaggio is engaged to William Davenport, the brother of Heaven's father, Matt.

"Matt Davenport and his wife Dorothy had a tragic accident hit their life," Caravaggio said. "They were sleeping and their house caught on fire and bursted into flames."

Caravaggio said the fire caused the family to lose "everything and anything anyone could possibly lose."

"The most terrifying and heartbreaking part of all of this is that fire costed them to lose their loving beloved 13-year-old daughter Heaven Davenport and their son Matthew’s dog," Caravaggio said. "This is such a horrible time for this family and no parent should ever have to feel the pain they are going through."

Caravaggio said she started the fundraiser because the family lost their house, cars, clothes, everything they ever owned. But mostly because she wants to help the family give Heaven the funeral she deserves.

"We all love this family so very much, and I’m just asking if anyone could please donate anything to help give this family money to not only provide a beautiful deserving funeral for that beautiful Angel but to also help get them back on their feet," she said.

The original goal of $20,000 was passed almost immediately and as of Monday the campaign is around $6,000 short of the new $50,000 benchmark.

"I wish the family all the spiritual strength they need to get them through this horrible, tragic loss," Bill Greiner said on the donation page. "I am a retired thirty-year police officer and have just about seen it all and this still struck me hard. So sad is understatement."

Kara Onativia said she was sorry to hear about the loss of Heaven and the beloved family pet.

"I wish I had some comforting words," she said.

Janet McNamara's son was one of the local firefighters on the scene of blaze Friday.

"Our hearts are broken for this family's tragic loss," she wrote.

Many people offered up prayers to a higher power.

"I know the loving family and my sincere condolences," Sandy Vieira said. "May your daughter Heaven Rest In Peace and may the lord give you strength through this time."

Kristen Monsees shared those sentiments.

"I’m so sorry for your loss. Prayers and thoughts are with you all right now," she wrote.

Caravaggio said the family doesn’t ask for much and the only thing they want in this world at this time is to bring their baby back.

"Heaven was such a funny beautiful girl who had a whole life to live and was constantly surrounded by all her siblings and her loving big family," she said.

But even as they face their new, stark reality, the family said they are grateful for the support they have received.

"We couldn’t thank each and every one of you all enough," Caravaggio said.

Patch is a GoFundMe promotional partner.

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