Help My Dad Rebuild After Losing Everything in a Devastating House Fire

Yesterday, my family lost far more than a house.

My dad, Michael, is 61 years old. Yesterday, he lost his home in a devastating fire that destroyed everything he owned. We are still waiting to learn what caused the fire, but so far we know it started in his living room. The only thing running at the time was a fan because it was over 90 degrees that day.

The fire broke out in the middle of the night, at approximately 2:00 a.m. By nothing short of a miracle, my dad was staying at his brother's house that night. Had he been home, there is a very real chance that he would not have survived. While we are grateful beyond words that he is still with us, the reality that we came so close to losing him makes this loss even more difficult to comprehend.

This wasn't just a house.

Our family has lived in this home since it was built in 1963. My dad's grandparents were the original owners, and generations of our family grew up there. It was filled with decades of memories, family history, photographs, keepsakes, and the stories of the people we loved.

The loss is impossible to put into words.

Most heartbreaking of all, we lost three of our four beloved dogs in the fire: Kona, Pepper, and Maxine.

Not only did we come home to find everything gone, but we also had to bury three cherished members of our family that same day. The grief of losing them is overwhelming. They weren't just pets, they were family, and the pain of losing them is something we are still struggling to process.

We also lost irreplaceable photos and home videos of my mother, who passed away when I was only six years old. Those memories can never be replaced. Now the few physical connections we still had to her, including her ashes, were taken from us in a single day.

Most devastating of all, my mother's ashes were also in the home. After losing her when I was six years old, the few physical connections we still had to her, including her ashes, were taken from us in a single day. Knowing that her ashes were lost in the fire alongside the photographs, videos, and memories we treasured has added another layer of heartbreak that is difficult to put into words.

My sister and I lost pieces of our childhood, and my dad lost a lifetime of memories, accomplishments, and family history that he had carefully preserved over decades.

What makes this tragedy even more heartbreaking is that Michael had already fought one of the biggest battles of his life.

In 2025, he beat Stage 4 lymphoma cancer.

After enduring treatments, uncertainty, and countless hardships, he was finally looking forward to moving forward and rebuilding his life. He is disabled and only recently completed the long and difficult process of securing disability assistance.

Unfortunately, he did not have homeowners insurance at the time of the fire.

For over a year, he was on a waiting list for assistance available to elderly and disabled homeowners to replace his roof. The condition of the roof prevented him from obtaining insurance coverage. After waiting more than a year, the roof was finally replaced just one month ago.

He was waiting for his disability payment so he could purchase homeowners insurance, but the fire happened before he had the opportunity.

At 61 years old, after surviving Stage 4 lymphoma cancer, Michael should have been enjoying the chance to move forward—not starting over from nothing.

Now he has lost everything.

His home is gone.

His belongings are gone. Decades of family memories are gone. He doesn't even have an address to receive mail.

Michael is the foundation of our family. He is the hardest-working person I know, always willing to help others and never one to ask for anything in return. If you've ever met him, you know he would be the first person to show up when someone needed help.

Today, he is the one who needs help.

We are raising funds to help him:

• Secure safe and stable housing


• Replace essential belongings and basic necessities


• Cover cleanup and recovery costs


• Begin rebuilding after losing everything


• Replace necessities not covered by assistance programs

Any amount, no matter how small, will make a difference. If you are unable to donate, sharing this fundraiser with your friends, family, and community would mean the world to us.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for helping Michael through the most difficult chapter of his life. Your kindness, generosity, prayers, and support mean more than words can express.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.

Please keep Michael, our family, and the memory of Kona, Pepper, and Maxine in your thoughts as we begin the difficult journey of rebuilding our lives. If you are able, please donate. If you cannot, sharing this fundraiser may help us reach someone who can. Every share, prayer, and contribution helps us take one step closer to helping Michael rebuild after losing everything.