Gofundme started for family of child killed in Saturday fire
A Gofundme page has been started to collect money to assist the family of Jesse Umbaugh, 2, who died in a fire Saturday morning, March 8.
To donate, visit Fundraiser by Daniel Weidenhof : Comfort Melina and Alex in Their Darkest Hour. As of Sunday afternoon, the page had raised more than $5,000 toward its $10,000 goal.
Additionally, Fireproof — East Brady, which is organizing the page, is holding clothing drives for Umbaugh’s parents, Alex Umbaugh and Melina Bryner. Drop-off locations include The Coffee Shoppe and Fox’s Pizza Den, both in Chicora. The drive is seeking women’s 2x pants, 3x shirts and size 9 shoes; and men’s 32-32 pants, large shirts and size 11 shoes.
Multiple fire departments and several EMS companies responded to a trailer fire just before 8 a.m. Saturday at 2608 Old Route 422 East in Clearfield Township, but were unable to save Umbaugh or the home.
According to Daniel Weidenhof of Fireproof — East Brady, who was among those responding to the fire Saturday, the family lost everything.
Jesse Umbaugh’s parents both suffered injuries in the fire, according to a state police release. While Alex Umbaugh was released from care Saturday, Bryner still was being treated at UPMC Mercy as of Sunday afternoon, according to Weidenhof. Bryner was expected to move from a burn unit to a regular room before the end of the day.
“As I arrived on scene, I could hear the screams coming from Melina, both from the pain and the fear of losing her son,” Weidenhof wrote on the Gofundme page. “I watched these trained men and women work together and put every effort forth they possibly could, but inevitably, it just wasn't enough to save poor Jesse Umbaugh.
“Jesse Umbaugh, 2 years old, lost his life this day. This is a fear that most people have, and this day it came true, for Melina Bryner & Alex Umbaugh.
“This is the time we need to come together as a community and give support”
The Chicora, East Butler, Unionville, Oneida Valley, Hermon, Worthington, Saxonburg, Buffalo Township and Petrolia fire departments responded to the fire; as well as East Butler EMS, Butler Ambulance, LifeFlight and Stat MedEvac, according to the police release.
