Fire burns out Pennsauken couple with new baby

A Pennsauken couple who celebrated the birth of their daughter Thursday found out yesterday morning that they would have no home to which to take her.

A fire ravaged the Garden Avenue home of Joe Nasto and Kate Cummings as 34 firefighters fought to control it for a half-hour beginning at 6:30 a.m., said Lt. Joe Palumbo of the Pennsauken Fire Department.

Palumbo said the home suffered significant damage to both its floors, and the fire was intensified by propane cylinders located near the rear deck.

Cummings had just given birth to Alexa Grace, and the couple were at the hospital when the fire broke out.

Local churches will be collecting money to help the family on July 5, and relatives are asking that any donations be sent to Pennsauken Emergency Relief Assistance Fund, c/o Beneficial Bank, 2501 Merchantville Ave., Pennsauken, N.J., 08110. Checks should be made payable to PERA. - Matthew Spolar