My name is Stephanie Harris, and I’m starting this GoFundMe on behalf of my brother, Matthew Harris, his wife, Erin Harris, and their two very young children, Brooklyn and Jameson.

Last night started as an ordinary evening for their family. Erin was making dinner, and Matthew was on bathroom duty with Jameson when he started smelling smoke. Strong smoke. They began investigating and discovered smoke billowing out of the garage, where they found a horrific, raging fire.

Thankfully, everyone was able to get out safely, and much of the inside of the house was spared from the flames. However, there is extensive smoke and water damage throughout the home, leaving it currently uninhabitable.

The garage is a total loss and has been red-tagged due to the risk of collapsing at any moment. There is no ceiling left and the water damage has already caused partial collapsing.

Brooklyn lost her bedroom, and much of the house is missing its ceilings. The fire spread into the attic, where much of the damage occurred, and unfortunately, there is also significant damage to the interior of the home and within the walls.

Through all of this, Matthew has somehow managed to keep his spirits up. Even in the middle of such a terrifying and devastating situation, he has remained positive, and I think that speaks volumes about the kind of person he is. Our family is heartbroken over what happened, but we’re incredibly grateful that everyone made it out safely. Matthew’s main priority is his wife and kids, and above everything else, he is thankful that they are all safe.

We were able to get the car out, and I’ll be working with his insurance company in hopes of getting it repaired. Right now, the main priority is getting the house properly remediated and working toward making it a home again.

Matthew and Erin have been through SO much, and this was completely unexpected and devastating. They have worked so hard for everything they have, and seeing so much of it damaged in a matter of moments is heartbreaking.

We are also still trying to locate their two cats, Luna and Molly. Thankfully, firefighters confirmed that they were okay and hiding, and we’re holding onto hope that we’ll have them safely back with their family soon.

As you can imagine, the financial strain this has placed on their family is overwhelming. I’m starting this GoFundMe to help ease the burden of insurance deductibles, temporary housing, professional cleaning, construction, loss-of-use expenses, and the many other unexpected costs that come with a house fire.

Any amount, no matter how small, would mean so much to their family as they begin navigating this difficult road ahead. If you’re unable to donate, sharing this fundraiser is just as appreciated and helps more than you know.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your love, support, and generosity during this incredibly difficult time. ❤️