Bradenton family seeks help after house fire destroys home, kills pets
A Bradenton family whose home was recently destroyed in a fire is asking for the community’s help after losing nearly everything, including two family pets.
Blair Smith created a GoFundMe campaign after the fire, saying her family escaped safely but lost a kitten and a turtle in the blaze. As of Thursday, the fundraiser had raised more than $13,000 of its $16,000 goal.
“My family recently experienced a devastating house fire,” Smith wrote on the fundraising page. “The damage was total—we lost everything.”
According to the fundraiser, the family’s homeowners insurance will not cover temporary housing, replace personal belongings or rebuild the home, leaving them searching for a place to live while they recover.
Smith said donations have already helped the family purchase clothing and some furniture, but they are still working to rebuild their lives. The funds will go toward temporary housing, replacing essential items and helping the family rebuild or find a new home, according to the fundraiser.
Bradenton family asks for help to rebuild after fire
The family is also trying to provide stability for its two daughters as the school year approaches. Smith said their oldest daughter is set to begin classes at State College of Florida this fall, while their youngest will enter fourth grade at Braden River Elementary.
“We’ve worked so hard and made so many sacrifices to ensure our daughters could have the best life we could give them,” Smith wrote. “We need your help to get through this crisis and rebuild our lives. Any support you can offer means the world to us.”
The fundraiser says any additional donations will go directly toward helping the family recover from the fire and establish a new place to live.
