GoFundMe to help Framingham restaurant owner whose house caught fire

Lina Portman2 weeks ago

7 2 minutes read

FRAME — Murphy's Eats & Treats fans and others are rallying for the restaurant owner and his family after a fire severely damaged their home and killed their cat.

A GoFundMe account has raised more than $73,300 as of 3 p.m. Friday, five days after Shaun Keefe and his family were forced to leave their home at 17 Pine Lane in Framingham after a fire.

“While we are grateful that the entire family is safe and unharmed, the emotional and physical toll of this disaster is immense,” wrote GoFundMe organizer Jason Heggs. “The Keefe family lost everything and left with only the clothes on their back. Rebuilding their lives from scratch will be a long and difficult journey. Shaun and Eileen have always been the first to offer help to anyone in the need, whatever the status of the situation. Now they need our help.

“Desire to expand”: Murphy's Eats & Treats plans second location in Framingham

Fire Chief Michael Dutcher said the fire happened shortly before 3 a.m. Sunday. Residents of the home reported the fire and came out of the house, he said.

“Upon arrival, crews observed heavy gunfire coming from the rear of the residence,” Dutcher said. “They conducted an aggressive interior attack to help stop the fire.”

No one was injured but fire chief says house is 'uninhabitable'

Dutcher said it took firefighters about 25 minutes to put out the fire. Neither residents nor firefighters were injured, but one cat died, the chief said.

“There’s significant damage inside, especially to the back of the house,” Dutcher said. “It's uninhabitable. They won't be able to stay there for a while.”

The cause of the fire is unknown and is under investigation by the Framingham Fire Department and the State Fire Marshal's Office. Dutcher said the fire was not suspicious.

PICTURES: Haddock, clams, scallops, on the fisherman's platter at Murphy's Eats & Treats

Shaun Keefe owns Murphy's Eats & Treats, known for its burgers, ice cream and fried seafood. It has two locations, one at 16 West Union St. (Route 135) in Ashland and another at 911 Edgell Road in Framingham.

Keefe could not be reached for comment Friday.

The GoFundMe is seeking to raise $75,000 to help pay for temporary housing, food and clothing, bills and to replace items destroyed in the fire. To donate, visit https://gofund.me/8d4878de.

“Let’s come together and rally behind the Keefe family,” according to GoFundMe. “Any contribution, no matter how small, will make a significant difference. Even your thoughts and prayers are a blessing during this difficult time.

Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or [email protected]. For the latest public safety news, follow him on X @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime.

No one was injured but fire chief says house is 'uninhabitable'

Lina Portman

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