Maplewood Community Rallies to Support Fire Victim, Exceeding $20,000 Goal
Within three days of a four-alarm fire at the Maplewood Apartments on Van Ness Court, the Maplewood community has raised over $20,000 for resident Lucy Thoroman. The fire, which occurred on the afternoon of September 4, resulted in Thoroman losing all her belongings and her cat, Seb. Thoroman, a lifelong Maplewood resident and Columbia High School graduate, lived in one of six apartments that have been cordoned off due to the damage. The GoFundMe campaign, initiated by her friend Vivi Charlap and promoted by Brave Floral owner Valerie Braverman, quickly surpassed its goal. Thoroman expressed immense gratitude for the community's generosity, stating it allows her to focus on healing rather than immediate financial burdens. The South Essex Fire Department reported that the fire was controlled within an hour and a half with mutual aid, and one person was treated for smoke inhalation. Thoroman's cat succumbed to its injuries, while another cat was rescued.
