NEW JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — Camden County Police Officer Salomon Andre and his fiancé were looking forward to celebrating the holidays and hosting Christmas Eve in their new home this year. But their lives were turned upside down about a week ago when a fire destroyed their Clementon home.
Andre’s fiancé Dajshia Gibson says she was out shopping with their baby last Monday when she got a call from a neighbor saying her house was on fire.
Gibson says the police union and fellow officers sprang right into action.
“The day it happened, a lot of his co-workers and partners came to the scene just to make sure we were okay. They bought diapers, they bought formula, the donations, the love, the support hasn't stopped at all,” Gibson said.
Their dog was inside the home at the time of the fire but was brought to safety. Everything inside was destroyed. The two are thankful no one was hurt, but Gibson says the loss is difficult to accept.
“Because the holidays have always been my favorite time of the year, and especially with this being our first house and our first baby, his first Christmas,” Gibson said.
But Gibson says with all of the love and support they have received from the community, it’s still a pretty special time.
“Random people have actually stopped me and, like, given us donations, and people are leaving things at my mom's house. They're going to her job and dropping things off. So it's definitely one of those Christmases where it's not ideal, but it's showing that there's still good people in the world.”
The family has a GoFundMe page set up, which has raised a little over $9,500.
“Everything else is replaceable. We could buy new furniture. We could buy new clothes. Life isn't replaceable. So we're thankful,” Gibson said.
The cause of the fire is unknown.