WATERTOWN, Wis. — The community started a fundraiser for the family of three people killed in a house fire in Watertown last week.
A person who identifies as a family member started the GoFundMe with a $25,000 goal. She says the mother was at work when the house caught fire. She lost her home and three of her four children.
No matter where you go or who you talk to in Watertown, community members are heartbroken after three lives were lost in a house fire. The fire happened near 1st and Western around 12:30 a.m. Friday morning.
When firefighters arrived, they found the house engulfed in flames, and personnel was told residents were trapped inside.
Firefighters tried to get inside and rescue victims, but say they were pushed back by intense heat, smoke, and fire.
The Watertown Unified School District sent out an email to parents confirming the three people who died are students; a fifth grader, sophomore, and senior. They also mentioned a seventh grader who survived the fire. All four children are siblings.
Monday night, the small, grieving community of Watertown came out in large numbers to honor the lives of three young people killed in a house fire.
Nicole Sweeney has been friends with the family for years. She holds back tears thinking about the tragedy.
Through the pain, she wanted to bring the community together so she put together a candlelight vigil.
"I honestly didn't expect so many people," Sweeney cried.
The home that was once filled with love and laughter, is now surrounded by flowers, teddy bears, and balloons. But, that's not all.
Dozens of people from the local car club made an appearance because the three kids enjoyed car shows.
At times the mood was heavy, other times people laughed together thinking about all the good memories.
"This family touched a lot of people's lives," a community member said.
A big show of support from a small community.
The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.
A GoFundMe created Sunday, has already raised nearly $20,000. Here is the link to the GoFundMe.
