UPDATE: Community Rallying For Local Family Displaced By Fire

UPDATE: Community Rallying For Local Family Displaced By Fire
The Ange family’s residence in Bishopville is pictured early Monday morning. Submitted Photo

BISHOPVILLE – A grassroots community effort has been launched to help a local family of three recover after losing their home in a devastating fire Monday.

Around 3:30 a.m. on Monday, firefighters from Bishopville, Berlin, Showell, Ocean City and Ocean Pines along with several volunteer companies from neighboring Sussex County responded to a reported residential fire on Salt Point Road in Bishopville. First-arrivers found heavy fire showing from the residence.

Property owners Mark and Becky Ange were home with their 12-year-old son, Carter, at the time of the fire and all three were transported to Peninsula Regional Medical Center. Becky Ange, a licensed stylist at Headlines Salon and Spa in Ocean Pines, suffered first- and second-degree burns and was transported to the Bayview Burn Center in Baltimore. Mark and Carter Ange were treated for their minor injuries.

Two family pets, a dog and a rabbit, perished in the fire and the home has been declared a total loss. The house had working smoke alarms, but was not equipped with a residential fire sprinkler system, according to the Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office, which is investigating the fire. Anyone with information is urged to contact Deputy Fire Marshal Chris Vieira at 410-632-5666, extension 5, or [email protected].

Meanwhile, as word spread throughout the community about the family being displaced, a grassroots effort to help the Ange recover is underway.

A Go Fund Me page has been created for the Ange family to help them rebuild their lives. The page can be found by searching “The Ange Family Fire Go Fund Me” online or click https://www.gofundme.com/the-ange-family?member=1721874&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=fb_co_campmgmt_m&fbclid=IwAR35_2B2jtZ3HBnYlsT4Yw86z37nP-MFliepPsBNv0mN5-ng2yHz0QQlo2w. Approximately $4,800 had been raised as of noon Thursday.

The page reads, “Asking for help for a very close family in our community! Tragically the Ange family Mark, Becky & their son Carter (12 years old) lost everything Monday morning, including their home, their loving pets and all of their belongings. They are a kind and loving family that have always lent a helping hand to their friends and neighbors whenever needed! Let’s all join together and help the Ange family rise and rebuild their lives and home. Thank you to everyone in advance we love you all and please continue to keep the Ange family, close and extended family and all of their amazing friends in your prayers.”

As a result of losing their belongings, volunteers have launched a clothing drive for the Ange family. Donations are being accepted as follows: Becky Ange, women’s six pants, medium tops and size six shoes; Mark Ange, pants and jeans, size 30/30, sweatpants medium/large, shirts medium/large and size nine shoes; and Carter Ange, boys size 10 pants, shirts boys 10/12 and shoe size four.

Drop off locations include the Coastal Community Church, 10900 Ocean Gateway, Berlin, Md. 21811; Headlines Salon, 11009 Manklin Meadows Lane, Ocean Pines, Md. 21811; Hileman Real Estate, 11065 Cathell Road, Berlin, Md. 21811; and Palmers Appliances, 121 N Main Street, Berlin, Md. 21811.

About The Author: Shawn Soper

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Shawn Soper has been with The Dispatch since 2000. He began as a staff writer covering various local government beats and general stories. His current positions include managing editor and sports editor. Growing up in Baltimore before moving to Ocean City full time three decades ago, Soper graduated from Loch Raven High School in 1981 and from Towson University in 1985 with degrees in mass communications with a journalism concentration and history.