A rescued Christmas: EMTs come to rescue for family who lost Swarthmore home in fire

After a fire ripped through their Swarthmore business and home, it appeared a family of four would have little to celebrate this Christmas. But thanks to a group of EMTs, the family was able to have a Christmas after all.

It started yesterday morning, when a fire destroyed the Countryside Deli. WPVI-TV says a home on the second floor above the 17-year-old business was also destroyed.

All four members of the family managed to escape without any injuries, but still lost everything they owned.

WPVI-TV says members of the Springfield Ambulance Emergency Management Team wanted to do something to help the family. Their work started with a comment posted on Facebook at 11:00 a.m., which suggested anyone willing to help could leave a donation at the station.

The comment on Facebook quickly turned into donations of toys, clothes, gift cards and cash.

WPVI-TV says EMTs dropped off the donated gifts at a home where the family was staying later that night.