Fundraisers started in memory of mother and son killed in Nutley house fire – NorthJersey.com

Members of the Nutley community remembered a mother and her 7-year-old son killed in a weekend house fire through a fundraiser and a small memorial raised at the scene. 

A GoFundMe campaign, shared by Nutley officials, raised over $25,000 for the family of Amanda Russo, 29, and her son Danny, who diedafter their Park Avenue home caught fireSaturday afternoon.

A small memorial to the pair sprang up on the porch steps of the home, surrounded by charred debris left by firefighters. Stuffed bears and a stuffed bunny sit nestled among a number of flower bouquets in memory of the pair.

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Not much is known about how and where in the house the fire started. Kathy Carter, a spokeswoman for the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, said Tuesday that she did not have any additional information about the fire.

Alphonse Petracco, public safety commissioner, said firefighters arrived within minutes but flames had already “engulfed” the second floor and made rescue attempts difficult.

A 74-year-old man was injured during the fire and treated at a local hospital. Nutley resident Joe Caprio said he helped get the man to safety after he saw the fire and called 911.

Caprio said the man told him he was making breakfast when he saw smoke coming from the second floor.

“He went upstairs and said the fire was in his grandson’s room,” Caprio said. “He was unable to open the door; not sure why.”

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Mayor Joseph Scarpelli said he and the Nutley Board of Commissioners offer their condolences to the family.

“This is an extremely difficult time for our town, having lost two of our residents, and our prayers and thoughts go out to the family,” Petracco said. “As a township, we will offer any support we are able to provide during these difficult days.” 

He went on to thank the Nutley Fire Department and the Nutley Rescue Squad for their immediate response to the scene. 

The Nutley Public Affairs Department is also collecting gift cards to be given to the family at its office, at 149 Chestnut St.

The commissioners thanked residents and friends of the family who have helped out and said the community will always support residents in need.

“Thank you also to the Russos’ friends and neighbors who have opened their hearts and homes to the family,” the statement said. “Our collective sorrow is comforted by the outpouring of love demonstrated by our fellow citizens.”

The town’s Family Service Bureau is offering free counseling sessions for residents. Sessions are scheduled at 155 Chestnut St. at the following times:

• Wednesday from noon to 1 p.m.
• Thursday from 10 to 11 a.m., 3 to 4 p.m. and 4 to 5 p.m. 
• Friday from 1 to 2 p.m. A community counseling session will be held at 169 Chestnut St. between 6 and 7 p.m.

The GoFundMe page was set up by Nutley resident Danielle Furman. She wrote that the Russo family was tight-knit and was there when she and her sister were growing up. Furman did not return an email for comment.

“As a community,” Furman wrote on the GoFundMe page, “let’s try to be there for them the best we can, as they would be for each other.”

Kaitlyn Kanzler covers Essex County for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: kanzler@northjersey.com Twitter: @KaitlynKanzler8

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