A home at 24 Bumper Road in Harwinton was destroyed by fire on Friday morning, but the family who lives there escaped unharmed.
The family smelled smoke just before 2 a.m., got out safely and called for help, officials said.
Harwinton First Selectman Michael Criss reached out to the community to help the family, but now he is asking people to make contributions to the two fire houses in town because the family said it does not need help.
Donations, in the name of the Ruwet Family, can be made to the West Side Fire House at 199 Scovielle Hill Road and Harwinton Volunteer, 158 Burlington Road in Harwinton.
Fire investigators are trying to determine the cause of the fire.
Photo Credit: Steve Miller, NBC Connecticut