A house fire in Ontario County earlier this month claimed the life of a 70-year-old woman and left her husband seriously injured, prompting a fundraising effort to help the surviving victim recover and rebuild.
Deborah Wright died in the July 8 fire in Hopewell. Her husband, 66-year-old Michael Wright, suffered second-degree burns and other injuries after trying multiple times to rescue her from the flames.
According to the family’s statement, Deborah had mobility issues and used a scooter, which may have prevented her from escaping the burning home. The fire destroyed the house and the couple’s vehicle. Only two external walls remain standing.
The fire started around 2:35 a.m. Michael Wright escaped with only the clothes he was wearing.
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help him cover funeral expenses, replace lost belongings, and begin rebuilding. The family noted, “We are devastated, but we are committed to getting Mike through this tragedy.”
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