Plainview Family Loses Home and Bat Mitzvah Dresses in House Fire

A mother and her two daughters were left with nothing after a devastating blaze destroyed their rental home just months before the girls' joint B'not Mitzvah.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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A family of three in Plainview, New York lost everything, including the girls' Bat Mitzvah dresses, when a fire tore through their rental home on February 7th. The mother, Marisa, and her two daughters in 6th and 7th grade were not home at the time, but the fire destroyed their residence and all of their belongings just two months before the sisters' joint B'not Mitzvah ceremony.

Why it matters

The devastating house fire comes at an especially difficult time for the family, as they were preparing for the girls' upcoming Bat Mitzvah, a significant coming-of-age ceremony in the Jewish faith. The loss of their home, personal items, and the special dresses for this milestone event has left the family reeling and in need of community support.

The details

The fire broke out on February 7th around 4:32 pm on the second floor of the two-story rental home in Plainview. Approximately 50 firefighters from multiple departments responded and brought the blaze under control within 45 minutes. The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the Nassau County Fire Marshal's Office and the Nassau County Police Department Arson/Bomb Squad.

  • The house fire occurred on February 7, 2026 at 4:32 pm.
  • The girls' joint B'not Mitzvah ceremony was scheduled to take place in just 2 months.

The players

Marisa

The mother of the two daughters who lost their home and belongings in the fire.

The two daughters

Sisters in 6th and 7th grade who were preparing for their joint B'not Mitzvah ceremony when the fire destroyed their home and Bat Mitzvah dresses.

Plainview Fire Department

The local fire department that responded to the blaze and brought it under control with assistance from mutual aid departments.

Nassau County Fire Marshal's Office

The office investigating the cause of the devastating house fire.

Nassau County Police Department Arson/Bomb Squad

The police unit assisting in the investigation of the house fire.

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What they’re saying

“In a matter of minutes yesterday afternoon, a fire tore through our friend's long-term rental home in Plainview, NY, leaving her and her two daughters with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Just like that, their home, their memories, and nearly all of their belongings were gone.”

— GoFundMe organizer (GoFundMe page)

“What makes this loss even more heartbreaking is that it comes only two months before the girls' Bat Mitzvahs. Dresses, meaningful keepsakes, and months of planning were all lost in the fire. Instead of counting down to one of the most important moments of their young lives, they are now facing the overwhelming reality of starting over.”

— GoFundMe organizer (GoFundMe page)

What’s next

The Nassau County Fire Marshal's Office and the Nassau County Police Department Arson/Bomb Squad are continuing their investigation into the cause of the house fire.

The takeaway

This tragic incident highlights the devastating impact that unexpected disasters can have on families, especially when they coincide with major life events. The Plainview community has rallied around this family to provide support and help them rebuild in the wake of this devastating loss.