CALEDONIA, Wis. — A Caledonia family is heartbroken after their loved one tragically died in a barn fire early Sunday morning.
Family identified the man as 42-year-old Jeff Smith. One of 11 siblings, Smith’s family is devastated by the sudden loss.
“ I want everyone to remember him as the big brother I had,” Jackie Vinopal, his little sister, said through tears. “He’s the protector, the sunshine, the happiness. “
Caledonia police say they received a call about the fire just before 3 a.m. on Sunday near Nicholson and 7 Mile Roads in Caledonia.
“I got up to use the bathroom a little after three and noticed a lot of fire equipment and vehicles across the street. There were still flames visible,” Michael Uher, a neighbor, said.
Firefighters from the Caledonia and South Shore Fire Departments arrived within minutes to find the barn fully engulfed in flames. While they worked to extinguish the fire, they located one person inside the structure who had passed away.
Watch: Caledonia family remembers brother who died in barn fire
Though the name of the deceased was not immediately released, the Smith family tells TMJ4 it was Smith.
“I woke up at 5 a.m. full of anxiety and just didn’t feel good. Half an hour later, Lauren told me he didn’t make it out of a fire. She said Jeff’s name and I lost it,” Vinopal recalled.
As they mourn, they’re remembering a man who was more than just a brother—he was a protector, a source of joy, and a steady presence in their lives.
After Vinopal's in-person classes were canceled during the COVID-19 pandemic, she drove back home, arriving early in the morning.
“He always knew grape Gatorade was my favorite. I woke up to the sunshine, and there was a grape Gatorade with a note that said he didn’t want to wake me up, but wanted to have something so I wasn’t thirsty," Vinopal recalled.
Smith, a loving brother to 10 siblings, was known for his playful nature and love of family.
Vinopal shared countless memories, like how he would tickle his younger siblings until they were laughing uncontrollably. His family said, that as an adult, he loved walks, movies, dogs, and ice cream.
“He was always there, looking out for us,” Vinopal smiled.
The Smith family has created a GoFundMe to help with funeral costs and establish a memorial fund in Jeff’s honor. You can click here.
The fire is still under investigation by the Caledonia Police Department, with assistance from the Caledonia Fire Department and the Racine County Fire Investigation Task Force.
The Caledonia Police Department has asked anyone who witnessed the fire or has additional information to contact Detective Chad Zoltak with the Caledonia Police Department at (262) 835-4423, Ext. 1023.
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