16 families affected by Bradenton apartment fire that injured 4 kids. Here’s how to help
Fundraising efforts are underway after a three-alarm fire displaced 16 families at the Aaron Lake Apartments in West Bradenton late Saturday night.
At least five fundraiser campaigns have been set up for the apartment complex victims. In just two days, the community has already donated more than $11,000 to some of the affected families.
Six people, including four children, were injured in the fire that officials estimate may have caused $1 million in damages. County officials say social workers have been assigned to assist with relief efforts, as well.
“After witnessing this horrific fire firsthand during my annual ride along with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, I plan on doing everything I can to help these families,” Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge said in a statement provided to the Bradenton Herald.
“I have created a GoFundMe page for them and have assigned a Manatee County social worker to help the families navigate through this difficult time,” he added. “I want to reassure the families that our Manatee County community is here to help them every step of the way.”
One of the donors, Hannah Anderson, lives in the same complex. With the danger coming so close to her own home, she wrote that she “would give everything to all of them if I could.”
“I pray for a full recovery for them, and for as smooth sailing as possible going forward, and I hope this little bit helps give some amount of peace of mind,” Anderson commented on the GoFundMe page.
A State Fire Marshal’s investigation aided by local fire officials determined that the fire was accidental. The blaze was ignited by a dryer vent in concealed space, according to Cedar Hammock Fire Marshal Eric Center.
“It was a pretty huge event,” Center said of the fire. “A lot of people are struggling because of it. But thankfully, no one lost their lives.”
According to updates listed on the GoFundMe pages, several of the victims barely made it out of their homes. As of Tuesday afternoon, the Hawkins family’s fundraiser had raised the most money. Organizers say the family was deeply impacted by the fire.
The father, Kevin, underwent surgery for cuts on an arm and both legs after he burst through a window to rescue his four children, while the mother, Jessica, was placed on a ventilator due to smoke inhalation. Their children are being treated at Tampa General Hospital.
Another fundraiser was launched on behalf of Aaron Lake resident Megan Eagens by Laurie McCoy. On the GoFundMe page, McCoy details how her best friend’s family, including two small children, made it out of the apartment with only the clothes on their backs.
The Collins family has another GoFundMe fundraiser campaign. The organizer said the family of three, “lost everything to the fire, including the family pet,” and are in search of a new place to live.
A former property manager at the site, who works for the Aaron Lake complex’s parent company, Pedcor Homes Corporation, has launched a general fundraiser on Facebook for victims of the fire. The funds will be administered to affected families by a regional manager, according to the fundraiser page.
How can you donate to Aaron Lake fire victims?
Van Ostenbridge’s general GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/d26fceef
General Facebook fundraiser for Aaron Lake Apartments fire victims: facebook.com/donate/301625411781706/914428912842782/
GoFundMe for the Collins family: https://gofund.me/1c7a3def
GoFundMe for the Eagens family: https://gofund.me/b799dfce
GoFundMe for the Hawkins family: https://gofund.me/a29c2821
Those interested in donating to Van Ostenbridge’s general fundraiser for victims may also contact Nikki Brennan, the county’s resource coordinator, by calling 941-749-3951 or emailing nikki.brennan@mymanatee.org.
This story was originally published November 10, 2021 at 6:30 AM.
