Hospital Staff Pitches In To Help Family Whose Home Was Destroyed By Fire

PATCHOGUE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) – A Long Island mother and her seven children are picking up the pieces after a fire destroyed their home Friday morning, just days before Christmas.

Kimberly Cetin says she raced through her burning house on Schenk Drive in Shirley, rescuing her kids, ages 2 to 17, as flames spread through each floor.

The family was taken to Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center, where the staff went into high-gear to make sure they had a happy holiday, despite the devastating tragedy.

"It's been a tremendous outpouring from the staff, from the community, from our nurses who have started to gather toys for the children, because everything was lost in the fire, unfortunately," President & CEO of the hospital Richard Margulis said.

"It was just amazing what they did for me and my kids. I can't be grateful enough for everyone here and the people," said Cetin. "I mean, I thank you so much."

Hospital staff paid for a hotel room so the family will have a place to stay for the next few days. They also bought clothes and collected money.