My name is Tim and I am raising funds for my dad Richard whose whole life was upended on Friday, October 23, 2026, due to a fire at his apartment building in Derby, CT.

Though the fire didn't start in his unit, the firefighters had to bring down his living room wall to fight the fire which was in the floorboards. I was with him that night, and it was devastating to watch the past 20 years of his life be destroyed by water damage or fall through the floor into the fire below. The only things he had on him when he left his apartment were the clothes he was wearing. Everything else was left behind.

Many other tenants have passed through that building's doors over the past 20 years and he's been there for 2 landlords. He is a great, caring guy, who would give his neighbors a ride to work when their car wouldn't start or let you borrow some coffee if you were all out and couldn't make it to the store. He is 74 and thought that this was going to be the last place he lived.

My sister and I are doing our best to get him back on his feet and into a new place. He did have renter's insurance which will hopefully cover some stuff and he doesn't like asking for help, but a lot of people are asking to donate so I made this GoFundMe. There were at least 10 other tenants living there and I noticed that a couple of them have GoFundMe fundraisers as well, so please donate to them if you can. Their links are below.

Derby Fire Relief for Two Men

A Fresh Start for Derby Sisters After the Fire

Finally, I just want to thank the emergency professionals who were there that night. Everyone was incredible in a terrible situation and we all owe you our gratitude. Thank you as well to the American Red Cross who came down that same night and gave assistance. Remember, that when times are tough, good people will always be there.

Take care everyone,

Tim