The Stratford community rallied around a family of six whose home was damaged by a fire Sunday night.

Officials say the Rudd's family home on Yarwood Street went up in flames after a fire started in an exhaust fan and spread upstairs.

Portions of the home that are still standing have smoke and water damage.

Neighbor and former councilwoman Stephanie Phillips says she saw the parents and the four children crying outside the house and decided to start an online fundraiser for them. The children range from ages 2 to 16.

Phillips received almost $3,000 in donations in less than a day.

A family member is also accepting donated items.