Help The Wiles Family House Fire, Health, Job Loss

Gabriel Sepulveda is organizing this fundraiser.

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House Fire, Health and Job Loss Fast Facts

March 19 - Home Fire displaced CJ Huguelet/Wiles, Gabriel Sepulveda and their animals Rahlo (cat), Ruby (dog), Dumpling (turtle) and Poppy (turtle)
March 21 - CJ is admitted to the emergency room due to chest pain and overall pain in upper extremities
March 22 - CJ returns to the emergency room and is given initial treatment for a chronic health issue (unknown prior to the fire) that was exacerbated by the fire and smoke inhalation
March 25 - CJ loses her job

All money raised will go directly to CJ and Gabriel for their immediate needs. Thank you for your hope and help as they get through these trying times.

The Night of the Fire

At 4:51 AM on March 19, the unthinkable happened to Candice “CJ” Huguelet/Wiles and Gabriel Sepulveda. CJ woke to the sounds of wood groaning from above and shook her partner awake, “there’s something wrong …” and he went downstairs to investigate. CJ rubbed the sleep from her eyes and went into the hallway and looked up into the grate of the whole-house fan and saw the tiny tendrils of fire climbing the attic. “FIRE! GABRIEL! We have to get out!”

Both were in utter shock … Gabriel came running up the stairs with a gallon of water in hand as the fire alarms began blaring throughout the home. CJ pointed to the flames dancing in the grate above, “No, we need to get out!” It finally sunk in. “I’ll call 911!” They grabbed their cat, Rahlo, and pup, Ruby and waited in their car and waited for help to arrive.

Black, thick smoke filled the air. “How do we get into the attic?!” the Jackson Fire Department Captain shouted over the sound of sirens. CJ stuttered her response through the cold and panic. Multiple fire departments were called to control and contain the fire. Hours later, the fire finally went out and the most precious items like CJ’s mother’s urn, Gabriel’s sister’s ashes, art, photographs and other priceless objects rooted in nostalgia and memory were saved thanks to the Jackson Fire Department.

Despite these great efforts, the majority of their home was destroyed due to fire, water and smoke damage. CJ and Gabriel will be displaced until further notice and are living inside a small studio-like room in the Tru Hotel in Jackson, Michigan. Finding a temporary home for them and their animals has proven to be nearly impossible, the housing shortage is very real and rentals are sky high (and unavailable for immediate occupancy).

Compounding Catastrophe

The aftermath of this crisis is ongoing. CJ was hospitalized multiple times due to an underlying health issue that became extremely agitated due to the smoke inhalation from the fire. Though she has received initial treatment, there is a long road ahead to finding the exact diagnosis and right treatment for this chronic health issue.

CJ was also laid off from her job on March 25 - less than one week after the fire. Luckily, she will have healthcare for the next few weeks as she begins her job search in addition to tending to her home, home insurance, restoration company and city of Jackson.

About the Home

CJ purchased this beautiful, 1920 craftsman-style home on October 13, 2023 and moved in December 2023. A property she saved and worked tirelessly for post-divorce. She was personally restoring this property, and had already paid for remediation, air duct cleaning, grading, waterproofing ($14,700) and total roof repair, install gutters, downspouts, ($19,465) and bat/mouse exclusion ($4,628.61). The 1920 original wood floors were carefully restored by CJ, and the floors upstairs were almost 100% completed prior to the fire. Hours of sweat, blood, tears and love went into restoring this home. She took pride in doing the work and looked forward to sharing her home, affectionately named “The Green Gatsby,” with others. Gabriel was the first to share in the splendor and moved in February 2024.

After the Fire