LYNN — The City showed what it is made of this past week, when it raised more than $8,000 to support a family who lost its home in a fire.
The family of Antulio Lopez was devastated by the Dec. 11 fire on 93 Warren St., which completely destroyed their two-family house that they had only purchased last year.
A description for a gofundme page created by the family simply reads: “we completely lost everything.”
In the face of this disaster, the Lynn community came together to support the family in a huge way, donating $8,218 though the gofundme page, along with additional donations of gift cards, clothing and food.
“The Lynn Community reaching out has been unbelievable. Everyone stepped up,” said Ward Six City Councillor Fred Hogan, who helped the family set up the page and promoted it on social media. “It’s been tremendous. The whole city really came together.”
Lopez and his family are first-time Lynn homeowners, though they lived in Ward Six before they purchased their Warren Street home.
One unit of the home was occupied by Lopez, his wife and their six children, while the other unit was occupied by his sister’s family of five.
All 13 residents were able to safely evacuate the house with no injuries.
“When I walked down the street and saw that it was their house it crushed me,” said Hogan. “I knew that they had just bought that house last year. They’re a truly amazing family and people know it because a lot of people stepped up to help them.”
MC Heald Liquor donated $1,000 to the effort, and had reached out to Hogan to support the family before the gofundme page had even been created.
Another donation came from California. In total, 86 people contributed to the online fundraiser, while many more donations were distributed directly to the family.
A comment from one person who donated to the fundraiser reads: “We are Ward 6! God Bless.”
The Warren Street fire broke out around 2 a.m. Friday Dec. 11.
Fire Chief Stephen Archer reported that fire crews arriving on scene found heavy fire in the basement spreading throughout the building.
“It was a very, very difficult fire to fight. The building had an unusual layout with unobstructed spaces in the walls where fire could easily travel. The crews had their hands full,” said Archer.
He reported that the fire was extinguished by 8:44 a.m. but that the building was a total loss.
Lopez and his family are now staying with other family members in Lynn, and were incredibly moved by the outpouring of community support.
“He reached out to me and he said he was grateful to the Lynn community. He was just overwhelmed with the support he got,” said Hogan.
“He said he was in love with Lynn already, but that this made it even more special.”
