Warwick. Community pancake breakfast and Tricky Tray this Sunday for family that lost home in fire

On the morning of Nov. 23, 2022, the day before Thanksgiving, the Warwick Fire Department responded to a fire at the Boyko family home on Covered Bridge Road.

Owner Betsy Boyko was out shopping and her son William, the only person home at that time, escaped the fire. But the home, where she had raised eight adopted children, was destroyed.

“We responded to a working residential house fire and as reported prior to the Warwick Fire Department’s arrival the house was a fully involved residential home fire,” said WFD Chief Michael Contaxis. “The home was unfortunately a total loss. The Warwick Fire Department and our neighboring Departments made an incredible effort and we returned two more times through early Thanksgiving morning for rekindled fires due to the debris from the home reigniting from the heat and small pockets of fire.

“We are saddened by the loss of the home and offer our condolences and prayers to the Boyko Family.”

Betsy Boyko notified her daughter Becky shortly after reporting the fire.

“It was devastating news,” she said. “All of us grew up in that house.”

This Sunday, Jan. 29, the Warwick Knights of Columbus will host a community pancake breakfast and Tricky Tray at St. Stephen’s Parish Community Center at 228 West St. Extension for the benefit of the family.

There will be a continuous setup for breakfast from 8 am to Noon. Basket drawings begin at 12:30 pm.

Seatings are at 8, 9, 10 and 11 a.m.

Reservations are required. To sign up or for additional information visit ststephenchurchwarwick.org and scroll down to Current Events.

- Roger Gavan