On Tuesday evening, my brother’s family experienced a devastating house fire that has completely turned their world upside down.

While Brian and Jen stepped out briefly to return their food truck just a couple of miles away, the kids — Brayden (almost 12), Maddox (9), and Rowan (7) — were at home. Brayden and Maddox had made s’mores using their s’mores maker, and thinking it was safe to put away, Brayden placed it in the pantry while it was still hot and covered with plastic. Within minutes, it ignited.

Smoke began filling the house and the alarms went off. The boys tried to put out the fire with water, but it grew too quickly. Brayden made a split-second, incredibly brave decision to get everyone out. Maddox and Rowan grabbed their Husky, Nova, and escaped through the back door while Brayden called their parents. All three kids ran to the neighbors for help.

Their neighbors immediately stepped in, comforting the kids, getting them safely inside, and even attempting to extinguish the fire themselves — but it had already spread beyond control. Brian and Jen made it home within minutes, and shortly after, the fire department arrived and was able to put the flames out. Unfortunately, the damage was catastrophic. They lost nearly everything inside the home.

Insurance will eventually help with the rebuild, but it doesn’t erase the immense financial burden or address the immediate needs they’re facing — especially with the holidays approaching. They are now navigating temporary housing, replacing essentials, managing day-to-day needs for the kids, and trying to piece together the parts of life that can’t be easily replaced.

I’m starting this GoFundMe to help ease some of that burden as they work to rebuild their home and restore stability for the kids. Any support — big or small — truly means more than you know.

Thank you for lifting them up during this incredibly difficult time.