Family's Car Fire Loss: We Need Your Help

We Lost several belongings in a Car Fire — Please Help Us Start Over

What was supposed to be a joyful family trip turned into a nightmare we’ll never forget.

Yesterday, while driving to a waterpark in New Jersey, our car suddenly caught fire and exploded on the highway. Just days before, the check engine light came on, so we did what any responsible family would do — we got the oil changed and had the car looked at. We were told it was okay to drive.

Feeling reassured, we packed up two cars with our kids, clothes, snacks, electronics — everything we’d need for a day of fun. But a little over an hour into the trip, our car started making strange noises again. We thought it would be safer to continue on to the park, thinking we could deal with it later, especially since the drive back would be even longer.

But just 10 minutes after getting back on the highway, the car began to slow down and wouldn’t accelerate past 60 mph. Then it started to smoke. We quickly pulled over and rushed everyone out. Within seconds, the entire car was engulfed in flames.

We were lucky to escape with our lives — but we lost everything else.

Clothes, electronics, sentimental items, and even cash we had with us for the trip — all gone. My brother’s phone is untraceable. We didn’t have rental coverage, and now we’re left without reliable transportation or the means to replace what was lost.

We’re incredibly grateful to be alive, but the emotional and financial impact of this is overwhelming. If you’re able to give anything — even just a few dollars — it would mean the world to us. Your support will help us begin to recover from this traumatic event and get back on our feet.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.