Ceiling Caves In at 224 Carlisle Road One Week After Two-Alarm House Fire

, the Fox Tree family is looking for help recovering personal belongings from their home after the ceiling of the first floor caved in Feb. 20, according to family friend Linda Christen.

Christen said the family is specifically looking to recover any photo albums from the top floor of the house following the ceiling collapse, with recovery efforts beginning Thursday. 

According to Christen, the family lost many baby photos, high school memorabilia and fifteen years' worth of family photo albums are "seriously singed or water damaged."

The family is looking for anyone with expertise in photo restoration, video restoration, or willingness to scan and electronically organize pictures and videos.

"It took extra time to get stuff out of the house originally due to waiting for the insurance company over the long weekend," Christen said. 

Before Tuesday, the Fox Tree family and close friends were only able to recover 13 bags of clothing from the house, according to Christen.

"It was only the clothing we deemed as worth trying to save," Christen said. "We got a lot of the smoke smell and soot out of what we were able to recover."

Following the fire, Christen put together a list of items the family needed, which at this point does not include more clothing.

"Many clothing items have been donated, they are not in need of any more clothing," Christen said. 

The Fox Tree family has found temporary housing with a friend in Bedford, which has created a need for kitchen supplies for the family, according to Christen. 

"The need for kitchen supplies seemed like it was going to be down the road," Christen said. "Hopefully they can use some of the gift cards that have been donated to buy kitchen supplies.

According to Christen, concrete donations most needed at this time include:

• Clear Rubbermaid style storage bins
• Newspaper
• Bubble Wrap
• Moving boxes or “Banana Boxes”
• Packing tape
• “Gojo” hand cleaner
• PineSol
• Paper towels

Several fundraisers have been organized in support of the Fox Tree family, including one to buy the girls in the family prom dresses, and one organized by the Bedford High School class of 2014 at Flatbread Co. scheduled for Feb. 28. 

Christen said it has been uplifting for the Fox Trees to see the outpouring of support from family, friends and the Bedford community following the fire.

"It has been incredibly reassuring to all of us," Christen said. "To both the people trying to help and the family themselves. We're all so appreciative and blown away by this."

While the family was devastated in losing their home, they have found solace in the support they've received from the Bedford community, according to Christen. 

To donate to the Fox Trees, visit the fundraising website set up for the family. For more information on what the family needs at this time, contact Linda Christen at christen.lj@gmail.com.