Mass. Family That Lost Everything in Fire Sees Outpouring of Support

In the darkness at 23 Standish Ave. in Hull, Massachusetts, what's left of the Sestito family's three-story home is blackened and gutted.

They lost everything, with the possible exception of a stack of singed family photographs. But in the light of his father's kitchen on Thursday night, 37-year-old landscaper Lodovico Sestito and his young family were grateful to be alive and they are overwhelmed by the ongoing Christmas time generosity of people in Lodovico's native Hull and beyond.

The fire broke out at about 2:30 a.m. Tuesday morning. The family barely escaped with their lives, along with their chocolate lab, Jessie. There was Lodvico's mother-in-law, his wife, his 4-year-old and 2-year-old sons and a 15-year-old son. But by 4:30 a.m., the family was already receiving the generous outpouring from the community in the form of hot coffee, food and clothing. They are taking refuge in Lodovico's father's beachfront home, where they are still staying.

The Hull branch of the Hingham Savings Bank at 401 Nantasket Ave. has begun a Sestito Family Fund. And many donations are going directly to the family at the fathers home. They have received clothing, money, gift certificates - even the dog, Jesse, has received gifts.

Lodovico's wife Lisa was moved to tears by the outpouring, and the whole family is deeply grateful to a community that wanted to be sure that they had good memories of this Christmas season that took so much from them.

Meanwhile, the cause of that devastating fire still undetermined.

If you'd like to help the family, send what you can to: