Urgent Relief for Family After Devastating Fire

Family and Story update (12-2-24) On the morning after Thanksgiving, my brother’s family experienced an unimaginable tragedy. Their historic home in the city of Colton, which my brother had lovingly been restoring, was completely engulfed in flames. The fire spread so quickly that the entire lower level was consumed, leaving them with no choice but to escape by jumping out of the second-story window with their six children. This was not just a home—it was a labor of love. My brother had been restoring it to honor its incredible craftsmanship. He had removed paint from moldings to reveal their original beauty and was in the process of sanding the hardwood floors, bringing back their natural elegance after pulling up old carpets. He worked on small, meticulous projects, like sanding and staining doors, always choosing period-correct colors and finishes to respect the home’s history. His care and passion for this house made it a true family treasure, and losing it has been especially heartbreaking. While they were able to escape, the toll has been devastating. My nephew Nikolai suffered severe burns to his upper body and face, requiring intensive medical care. The entire family was rushed to the hospital, and my brother and sister-in-law remain hospitalized as they recover from painful and uncomfortable treatments for smoke inhalation. Nikolai has undergone surgery to treat his burns and is still receiving treatment for smoke inhalation at the Irvine Burn Center. His recovery will be a long and challenging road. The other five children, who spent a day in the hospital for observation, were released and are staying with immediate family. While they have minor coughs from smoke exposure, they are otherwise doing well and are being lovingly cared for. They remain optimistic but are understandably worried about their parents and brother. My brother is a hardworking, devoted husband and father who has now lost everything in an instant. Their home, filled with cherished memories and years of restoration efforts, is gone. This GoFundMe is set up to help cover their immediate needs—medical bills, basic necessities, and anything else they need as they navigate this incredibly difficult time. As of today, both parents are still in the hospital, undergoing treatments and slowly recovering. Nikolai continues to fight through his recovery, while the other children are safe with family. We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support and prayers we have received so far. Any contribution, no matter how small, will make a huge difference in helping this family find stability and start to heal. If you can find it in your heart to help, we would be forever thankful for your kindness and generosity. Thank you for standing with us during this time. Together, we are praying for their continued recovery and hoping they can all be reunited at home soon.