Support Laura's Family After Devastating Fire

This is my first experience setting up a GoFundMe, but I was just notified by my sister, Laura Nicholson, AKA Licha, that there was a fire tonight, 1/16/25, in her home studio. My sister is an artist who has specialized in glass art utilizing kilns and other heat-producing equipment. Licha has been working from her home studio for over 10. Minutes later, as she was working in her office, her son Justin began yelling, "Fire, a fire in your studio!" She could see black smoke billowing out beneath her studio door. Justin immediately told her not to open the door and to get out of the house. They did, securing their Great Dane and rushing outside to safety, and called 911. Fortunately, Lynn, her husband, was not home, so everyone was safe outside.

My sister and her family have been through so much this past year with unexpected medical bills they had to contend with and have done so well with some sacrifice, but this has just been too much too soon to recover. They recently changed home and auto insurance, renters insurance, moving from one insurance company which ended coverage at the end of December. They had not added renters insurance to their auto coverage, thinking they could wait till the next paycheck. As a result, my sister and her family have sustained great damage to some of their personal items like furniture, clothing, and equipment with no insurance to cover their loss and no extra money to cover the loss themselves. The home's structural damage, fortunately, is covered by the owner's own homeowners insurance, but my sister's family will not be able to stay in the house until it can be thoroughly cleaned of soot and water damage, which could be months. They are currently staying in a hotel, which only adds to their expenses, not even thinking about how to manage meals.

I'm asking for any contributions that may help them come through this terrible experience easily with less stress. They are a beautiful family, I love them all, and my sister is such a peaceful, loving soul. Thank you for any help you can provide; it would be greatly appreciated! I will be posting pictures of the damage later.

Thank you!

Rose Thompson