<div>Hi and Thank you for opening up this GoFundMe page. This fundraiser is not for me, Liz, it’s for one of my Best Friends... Christopher Sola.
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<div>For those of you who don’t know me, I’m the youngest of four. I moved back to my mother’s house in Old Bridge in 2018 to care for her as she navigates Dementia. It’s a 24/7 job, and my social life is almost non-existent because Mom is always frightened and doesn't like to be alone. But three and a half years ago, I was lucky enough to cross paths with Chris.
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<div>Chris is my best friend, my hero, and the one who keeps me sane. He’s a quiet man who holds his feelings close, while I’m an open book. He sees the good in everyone, even when it’s hard to find. Most importantly, he is a "dad" to his six Frenchie furbabies. They aren't pets to him—they are his children, his everything.
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<div>On the afternoon of December 9th, 2025, I jumped off the couch hearing Chris yelling from his camper in my driveway. At first, I thought the dogs were just into mischief. But as I walked out, I heard popping and crackling. I saw a huge flame coming out the center roof of the camper.
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<div>I ran to the door and saw Chris laying on the floor, surrounded by smoke, yelling for the dogs to come to him. I was screaming at him to get out because I was afraid the roof was going to collapse. I don't remember seeing his face—I only remember seeing his foot and the sock melted to it.
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<div>Despite the pain and the heat, Chris wouldn't stop. He pushed the AC unit inward and reached his arms back inside the burning trailer, calling, "C'mon baby girl, C'mon." He went through the fire to save them.
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<div>Chris managed to get five of them out (Chooch, Meena, Una, Dobby, and CoCo). As he came running through the house with them he was shouting to get out, get your mother out and get all the dogs out. Again I don’t remember seeing his face but I dont think I will ever forget his voice that day. You can hear the pain and anguish in his voice. I yelled to my mother to go across the street to our neighbors house where I knew she would be safe as I went into a panic gathering the dogs to get them to my SUV. But I am missing one…..Peanut was missing. (Chooch’s daughter).
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<div>The police wouldn't let Me back in the house. But they went in and could’t find her. Chris’s sister, her 2 daughters, some of my close friends and myself spent the next four days driving around, walking the neighborhood and contacting the OB shelter. Everyone, even people I didn’t know were all sharing posts on social media in hopes of finding his baby girl Peanut. We wanted to believe someone found her, but in my heart, I knew. Peanut wasn't the type to run off; she was too scared. And the people in my neighborhood are amazing and she would have been brought home within 2 days if that long. She perished in that fire trying to stay close to her family.
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<div>Even today those words are hard to say without tears.
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<div>Chris spent five days in the St. Barnabas Burn Unit. Both his feet are badly burnt, along with his legs, arms, fingers, and the side of his head. He has a long road ahead of him. He is walking with a cane now, but the physical pain is nothing compared to the hole in his heart.
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<div>We don’t even say Peanut’s name out loud because the grief is too heavy. Watching the other dogs, like Meena, sometimes sleeping alone without her is a constant reminder of what was lost.
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<div>Christmas and New Year’s have come and gone like they were just another day, but the burned trailer still sits in my driveway, haunting us both. Chris has been on my living room couch for days, and he’s just not himself. I can’t "fix" his grief, but I can help him move forward.
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<div>The first step to healing is getting that trailer out of here. After that, I want to raise enough to help Chris get a new travel trailer and replace some of his belongings and dog beds he lost in the flames.
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<div>Chris is a true hero—someone who puts their life on the line for those they love. He didn't think of himself for one second that day; his focus was entirely on his "children."
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<div>I understand that money is tight for everyone right now. If you can’t donate, please don’t feel bad. Just sharing our story on social media is a donation in my eyes.
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<div>I just want to give back to My Hero, My Best Friend, the man who means the world to me and help him and his fur babies find a home again.
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<div>Thank you for taking the time to read our story.
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<div>I hope 2026 is a better year for all of us.
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<div>Thank you,
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<div>Liz
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Nancy Damone

Leroy Klauser

Hector  A Sola Alicea

Janet Frolich

Catherine Dotey

Hector A Sola

Debra M Williams-Riegler

Annie Sola

Pat Holden

Through the Fire: Help A Hero Rebuild After a Tragic Loss

Through the Fire: Help A Hero Rebuild After a Tragic Loss

Still $3,230 to go. Help us build momentum.