DELAFIELD — Hundreds of people have given money to a Delafield family who lost their home in a fire Thursday.
As of late Saturday night, close to 800 people contributed more than $67,000 to the family's GoFundMe. More than $50,000 was raised on Friday.
The Dorff siblings had planned to go home for Christmas, but instead they are cleaning up what's left of their parents' home.
The Lake Country Fire Chief said the call came in around noon Thursday. Officials are still investigating the cause, but they believe it may have started in a back bedroom. Everyone is ok, but a cat did not make it.
Alex, A.J. and Julia Dorff rushed to help their parents as soon as they heard.
"My parents were right over there in my neighbor’s driveway, and I gave them a big hug when I saw them," Julia said.
Julia took her mom to the hospital after she saved one of the cats from the flames.
The Dorff siblings said their parents moved to the Delafield home a few years ago as their dream retirement home. Now nothing is left inside—the kitchen and hallways are charred and blackened.
As Alex watched the home burn, he called the insurance company, who he said told him the coverage on the home had expired three days ago.
"And I had to give that news to my parents," Alex said. "I held off for a little while."
"It was heartbreaking to see my mom that way," Julia said.
The Dorff's oldest sister, Becky, started the GoFundMe. The Dorff siblings said she and their other brother live in Portland, Oregon, and are flying in to help. Otherwise, the Dorffs have a large extended family to lean on, as well as plenty of other people in the community.
"It’s amazing the amount of support we’re getting," Julia said.
