Help the Claytons Replace Their Car, Ruined by A Street Fire

Hi all! We're neighbors of Jared and Madeline Clayton, whose car was destroyed by fire on 6th Avenue in Brooklyn, NY on November 1— and whose car insurance only covers accidents, not "wildfires,."

The cause of this fire, which consumed three cars, is almost certainly city negligence: Street sweepers hadn't swept 6th Avenue in 3 weeks, so the curbside streets were loaded with dry leaves, which (the firefighters say) were likely ignited by a cigarette butt. In fact, four days before this happened, a DIFFERENT, smaller fire flared up, in the same area, then was tamped out by neighbors and firefighters—but the streets still weren't cleaned.

Quick background on the night's events: around 2:30 a.m., there was a series of loud sounds—and then a big boom. Jared and Madeline's Landrover Discover was on fire and that fire quickly spread to two cars next to it. Several people on the block called 911 and the firefighters came immediately, but all three cars were completely destroyed.

Jared and Madeline, a young couple with a one-year-old child, who moved to the neighborhood three years ago, bought the car just two months ago. It's possible that, in the long run, they might be able to sue the city or otherwise hold them responsible, but in the meanwhile, we want to chip in and help them out. Anything you can contribute would be wonderful! (And everyone, sweep your streets and call your city councillor if you have dry leaves around! It's dangerous out there.)