A GoFundMe has raised $16,000 and counting for a family that lost their northeast Wisconsin home to a fire that proved challenging for first responders.
Addison Klubertanz, a member of the family, started the fundraiser to “get back on our feet and cover basic needs as we navigate this incredibly difficult time.”
“In just a short amount of time, the place where we made memories, felt safe, and built our lives was no longer the same. We tried to save what we could, but the fire took so much from us, leaving behind loss that is hard to put into words,” she wrote.
Several local fire departments responded to the scene around 4:30 p.m. Jan. 30 on Tower Road in the Town of Glenmore, just south of Ledgeview.
A news release from the Morrison Volunteer Fire Department said the fire appeared to begin in the garage. All residents and pets evacuated before first responders arrived.
Upon arrival, fire crews found the garage fully engulfed, with fire moving to the roof of the house. Crews battled the fire for more than an hour and extinguished hot spots for another three hours.
Roads were closed in both directions until the scene was cleared around 10 p.m.
One firefighter sustained minor injuries and was taken to a local hospital. The cold weather and location of the home posed challenges for firefighters.
“Unfortunately, one of our residents lost their home but thankfully no life was lost nor were there any serious injuries due to this incident,” the department said.
Klubertanz said her family is grateful to have gotten out safely, which they “will never take for granted.” Still, they lost clothing, furniture, belongings and “irreplaceable memories.”
“We are now faced with the overwhelming task of rebuilding and starting over,” she said.
Hope Karnopp can be reached at usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: A Town of Glenmore family lost their home to a fire on Jan. 30
Reporting by Hope Karnopp, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Green Bay Press-Gazette
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