Donations pour in for Bethel Park family who lost home to fire

Bethel Park residents have rallied around a family whose house was destroyed by a fire Dec. 5.
Diane Jacobson and her father, Rick Jacobson, were not injured, but their dog Bella died as a result of the fire.
The fire broke out at about 2:45 p.m. in the front of the Jacobsons’ Cedar Street home, according to the Bethel Park Fire Company. The Allegheny County fire marshal is investigating the cause, but no determination has been made.
Soon after the fire, Tracy Flaherty decided to help. She posted to Facebook Dec. 6 asking for donations to be dropped off at her house, including clothing, bedding and towels.
Flaherty knows Rick as a frequent customer of Ma and Pop’s Country Kitchen, where she works.
“Our customer base at our diner is like family to us,” Flaherty said.
What Flaherty did not know is that her daughter is friends with Diane. She said her daughter called her after learning of the fire, as Flaherty had organized donation drives in the past.
“I said I already started a drive for them,” Flaherty said. “I think that’s our purpose here. Just to help other people out.”
A GoFundMe campaign is also collecting money for the Jacobson family. As of Dec. 7, the fundraiser had collected more than $8,300.
Jennifer Wright, Diane’s sister, described the community support for her family as “overwhelming.”
“I’ve seen the community do it for others. We aren’t quite as in need as others have been in the past, and we didn’t expect to see the same outpouring. We’re very grateful for it,” Wright said.
Wright said that while the whole experience has been stressful, her sister and father are holding up well and staying with family.
“They’re still shook up. The fire itself was one thing, but losing the pup was another,” Wright said. “They’re kind of in the throes of dealing with insurance and fire marshals. It’s a little overwhelming. They’re doing OK.”
While one dog died, another dog and cat were able to make it out safely. Wright described Bella as a mutt who they believed to be about 10 years old.
“My sister has had her since she was a puppy … It was my sister’s first owned dog. Her and my father kind of raised her together,” Wright said.
Firefighters attempted to revive Bella, and were assisted by a neighbor who happens to be a veterinarian.
“She was trying to do CPR on her. They worked on her for a while before they finally realized that she was gone,” Wright said.
Those interested in assisting the Jacobson family can drop off donations at 5469 Brightwood Road, Bethel Park. Flaherty says they are in particular need of shampoo, conditioner, soap, body wash, razors, toothpaste and storage totes.