Fire Department: Mahwah Will Help Family Recover

Since a fire broke out at their Stag Hill home Jan. 2, Roger Mann, his wife Becky and their three kids have been relying on help from the community to recuperate from an astounding loss.

The family’s house was completely destroyed.

“By the time we got there, it was already fully involved,” Ken Warnet, a Mahwah firefighter who responded to the house fire, said.

“As a firefighter, the most discouraging thing you can see is a homeowner standing on the lawn with a look of total despair as he watches his house burn down.”

None of the items left in the house were salvageable, firefighters say. And, the fire claimed the life of the family’s dog.

“They really lost absolutely everything,” Warnet said. “It was completely devastating. They have to re-buy everything, and they have to rebuild. This family has a long road ahead.”

The family has a lot of connections in the township. Roger works for the DPW, Becky for the Rainbow Academy in town, and all three kids are involved in the schools, sports programs and extracurricular activities.

“Everybody knows the Manns, and nobody has a bad word to say about them,” Warnet said. “I think that’s part of the reason why the community has been so helpful since the fire.”

Residents have donated clothes, gift certificates and attended numerous other fundraising events set up by different groups in Mahwah.

Firefighters say they have no doubt Mahwah’s generosity will continue this Sunday.

“We wanted to do something fun, that families could enjoy but that would really continue to help this family,” First Assistant Chief Tom Loreto said. “So, we came up with the idea for a pancake breakfast.”

This Sunday from 8 a.m. til noon, the MFD is hosting a fundraiser breakfast at the Mahwah Elks Lodge. The organizers say that thanks to the Elks’ donating the hall, and donations and reduced rates from local businesses like Inserra Supermarkets (Ramsey Shop Rite), Market Basket in Franklin Lakes and IHOP in Ramsey, all of the proceeds from the event will be donated to the family.

“We are hoping for 300 people,” Loreto said. “We have no doubt that Mahwah will come out to help.”

Get more details about the event in the attached flier.

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