Vietnam Veteran Loses Home to Fire

By Katie McFadden

A Vietnam veteran in Broad Channel was left with almost nothing but the clothes on his back after his home was lost to a fire.

On Thursday morning, March 19, Broad Channel resident Robert “Fuzzy” Gill, was out getting groceries when a call was made to his home at 321 Bert Road for a two-alarm blaze. FDNY, including 46 units with 141 fire and EMS personnel, the Broad Channel Volunteer Fire Department and the West Hamilton Beach Fire Department responded to the scene after a call was received at 10:41 a.m. Billowing smoke could be seen from Howard Beach and Rockaway as firefighters battled the blaze. The fire was contained to the one home and under control by 12:01 p.m. EMS had to treat two firefighters, one with minor injuries and one with moderate injuries, according to the FDNY.

By the time Gill returned, his home was totaled due to the fire, taking all of his belongings with it. “Fuzzy has lost nearly everything, his clothing, personal belongings, and the place he called home. He is safe, and we are incredibly grateful for that, but he is starting over with very little,” a relative posted to a GoFundMe launched after the fire.

“We are raising funds to help him with immediate essentials like clothing, toiletries, and medication,” the GoFundMe read “These funds will also go toward temporary housing and securing a more permanent living situation. This is not about rebuilding a house, it’s about helping a good man rebuild his life with dignity. As a veteran, he has given so much to his country, and now he needs the support of his community to help him get back on his feet.”

As we go to press, the fundraiser has reached more than $11k. To donate, head to: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-a-vietnam-veteran-secure-housing-essentials or https://gofund.me/529741c32

Fire marshals arrived on the scene of the fire. The cause remains under investigation.

Photos by BCVFD and Tim Moriarty.