A recent house fire has left a family devastated. The Plises, like many others during the pandemic, have been hit with hardships, but after losing their home, they say it can’t get much worse.

What You Need To Know

  • A grease fire caused smoke damage to everything inside 62 Union Street on September 20

  • The Plis family has lived in the home for decades

  • To help the family get back on their feet, a benefit is being held on November 1 at 7564 North Street in Auburn from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

  • A planning meeting for the event will be held on October 4 at 1 Florence Street in Auburn at 1 p.m.

“I’m just devastated, no insurance,” said Edward Plis.

Edward Plis grew up at 62 Union Street. His grandparents bought the house and he helped his parents build it into the home it became. But on September 20, decades of memories were destroyed by flames.

“I was in there cooking and the baby started crying, and I went in there and the oil just blew, and I grabbed the babies and ran outside. It started on the stove,” said Plis.

Ed helps to take care of his son Joe and his daughter-in-law Cady’s three kids. One of their kids lives with autism, and Cady just gave birth to their youngest last month.

“It’s just been difficult, to say the least,” Cady said. “The younger two have just been having a hard time with the inconsistencies, because we are all over the place."

“Especially when Nathaniel is disabled,” said son Nick Plis.

No one in the family is working right now. Ed stays home to watch the kids; Cady is recovering from having just gone through labor; and Joe is out of work until he can get surgery for an injury caused by a car accident earlier this year. He was also recently diagnosed with a brain tumor.

“We’re going through it, and we’re doing the best we can,” Joe Plis said.

Cady and Joe are currently staying at a hotel and Ed is staying at a friend's house. Other family members are helping to take care of kids as much as they can.

The fire didn’t do any damage to the structure of the house, but nearly everything inside has been ruined by smoke damage.

A benefit to help the family get back on their feet is being organized by BB’s Pizzeria. A planning meeting is being held October 4 at 1 Florence Street in Auburn at 1 p.m. The benefit is on November 1 at 7564 North Street from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. All are welcome to attend both events.