(Photo by JEFFREY HASTINGS) Heavily charred framing and piles of rubble are all that remain of this section of the Brookline home that went up in flames this afternoon, as firefighters wet down hot spots after bringing the multiple-alarm fire under control.

BROOKLINE — The Finocchiaro family — schoolteachers John and Laura and their two sons — are safe following the multiple-alarm fire that destroyed their Gilson Road home Wednesday afternoon, but according to the woman who organized a GoFundMe account on their behalf, “their entire home is gone … they have lost every material possession that was not on them.”

The loss included their “beloved cats,” Kim Gagnon, the GoFundMe organizer, wrote on the site.

To access the account and to post a donation, go to www.gofundme.com and search “Finocchiaro family.” There is also information on how to donate clothing and other personal necessities to the family.

It was about 1:30 Wednesday afternoon when Brookline firefighters, police and ambulance personnel were dispatched to 7 Gilson Road for “a possible house explosion with heavy fire,” according to Fire Lt. Meaghan Fricke, the scene commander.

Crews were still on their way when they reported seeing heavy smoke in the distance, and it was a matter of minutes before a third alarm was struck to bring additional manpower, as well as engines and tankers to set up a water supply, to the scene.

(Photo by JEFFREY HASTINGS) A Brookline firefighter hoses down smoldering rubble in front of the Gilson Road home that went up in flames Wednesday afternoon.

The first crews on the scene reported the house was “fully involved” with fire, and, according to Fricke, attempted to access the home to make sure nobody was inside.

There was only one section of the house in which someone could survive, so crews concentrated their search there, Fricke said.

Once the Finocchiaros got word their house was ablaze, they contacted fire headquarters to advise that they weren’t home and were safe.

Firefighters used several hoses to apply streams of water to the pile of burning materials. The left side of the house was the only significant part left standing.

Debris was spread over a large area including in the yards of neighbors. Plastic children’s toys could be seen in the wooded area surrounding the house. The front lawn of the house was scorched by burning debris.

(Photo by JEFFREY HASTINGS) Brookline firefighters wet down the skeletal remains of the large, single-family home at 7 Gilson Road that went up in flames around 1:30 Wednesday afternoon. No injuries were reported, and the cause is under invesigation by state and local fire officials.

Fricke said officials were concentrating on keeping the firefighters hydrated due to the extreme heat the fire generated. She also reported that there had been no injuries to any firefighters.

A station was set up a short distance from the fire providing personnel with water and tents for shade.

State and local fire officials initiated an investigation into the cause and circumstances of the fire once it was safe to access the remains of the structure.

Telegraph contributor Jeffrey Hastings provided reporting for this story.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.

(Photo by JEFFREY HASTINGS) The property surrounding the home at 7 Gilson Road emerged largely unscathed in the Wednesday afternoon fire that destroyed the large house. Firefighters continued pouring water onto the rubble to quell hot spots.

(Photo by JEFFREY HASTINGS) Brookline firefighters wet down the skeletal remains of the large, single-family home at 7 Gilson Road that went up in flames around 1:30 Wednesday afternoon. No injuries were reported, and the cause is under invesigation by state and local fire officials.