Contributions can be made to the Park Avenue Fire Relief Fund at any SEFCU branch, and the credit union has pledged to match the first $5,000 raised, she said. The flames, which burned undetected for an undetermined amount of time, were reported at 1:07 p.m. Wednesday by several people, including an off-duty firefighter who spotted them from Delaware Avenue and a tenant of the lower floors of the building, Toomey said. The first fire crews were on the scene three minutes later but the fire quickly spread — aided by the building's old construction style — into the walls and attic, then jumped to 231 and 233, Toomey said. In the wake of two other recent large fires on Broad and South Pearl streets — both ruled accidental — Sheehan and Toomey were joined at Thursday's news conference by Branch Chief Guy Swartwout of the state Office of Fire Prevention and Control to stress safety during the holidays and winter. A community dinner to benefit the families driven from their homes is being held from 11 a.m.