How to Help the Family of the Girls Killed in Bushwick Apartment Fire

A fundraiser has been set up to help the family of the two girls who were killed in a Bushwick apartment fire over the weekend.

Haley Harris, 8, and Payton Gomez, 7, were visiting from Brownsville, staying at their grandfather’s apartment on Schaefer Street when a fire broke out on the night of Saturday, December 8.

Though firefighters were able to recover the two young girls through a window, they were unable to resuscitate the children, officials said. The girls’ 57-year-old grandfather, Vincente Gomez, was also hospitalized by the blaze and is listed in stable condition.

In an effort to help the girls’ mother, Renita, and their grandfather in the wake of the tragedy, a Go Fund Me has been set up by a family friend for community members to donate money. According to the page, funds will be put towards funeral expenses and counseling for Renita and Vincente.

The description on the site can be read below:

Renita lost her two daughters Hailey and Payton in a fire in Bushwick on December 8th. They were eight and seven years old.

Renita was a student in my advisory class at Bushwick Leaders’ High School in Brooklyn. She became a mother at a young age, but that never stopped her from loving her daughters fiercely. I remember visiting Renita at home after Haliey was born. I got a chance to hold the new baby and was struck by what a responsibility Renita would have in raising this sweet girl. Since then, Renita has always impressed me with the deep love and care she gave to her children.

Renita and her husband Vincent have had several deaths in the family this year. I know they can use financial support to help cover funeral costs and to provide counseling for the family in the wake of this terrible loss.

So far, the campaign has raised more than $4,000 of its $25,000 goal.

News coverage of the fire from CBS, along with pictures of the girls, can be seen below: