GoFundMe raises over $10,000 for Clearfield Township family who lost son, home in fire
After a child died in a mobile home fire Saturday in Clearfield Township, the GoFundMe organizer said he will be raising as much money as possible for the family.
“They don’t have a place to live, they lost their clothes, they lost their son, they have nothing right now,” said Daniel Weidenhof of Fireproof — East Brady, who organized the fundraiser.
Two-year-old Jesse Umbaugh died in the fire at 2608 East Old Route 422 that sent parents Melina Bryner to UPMC Mercy Hospital’s burn unit and Alex Umbaugh to Allegheny Health Network’s West Penn Hospital.
Umbaugh was released Saturday. Bryner was expected to be released Sunday but stayed due to complications, Weidenhof said.
The GoFundMe for the family sits at around $10,625 as of 5 p.m. Monday.
The family’s home was a total loss. Donations to the family can be made at gofundme.com or by dropping off money or supplies to The Coffee Shoppe or Fox’s Pizza, both in Chicora. Welcome supplies include women’s 2x pants, 3x shirts and size 9 shoes; and men’s 32-32 pants, large shirts, size 11 shoes and toiletries.
Weidenhof said he heard the fire call over the scanner while stopping for coffee just before 8 a.m. Saturday and was at the scene with his emergency fire relief bags within 15 minutes.
He said the ambulance with Alex Umbaugh had already left when he arrived, and Bryner was in the back of an ambulance with the doors still open. He said her screams were horrific from the pain and fear of losing her child.
Weidenhof watched a LifeFlight helicopter land as about 20 firefighters from around four companies continued extinguishing the fire. He stayed on scene until crews cleared it for Coroner John Hanovick, who arrived around noon.
He started Fireproof — East Brady after his own family’s fire, in an effort to connect families with immediate resources after a fire. He said in his experience, other organizations may need time to travel to a location before rendering aid, so he wanted to come up with something more immediate.
“I felt helpless I couldn’t do something to help this poor child,” Weidenhof said.
