Community Rallies For Family After Mom Of 5 Dies In Firepit Accident

TARPON SPRINGS, FL — Friends and co-workers are hosting a benefit and celebration of life on Dec. 18 for a mother of five who died from burns she suffered following a backyard firepit accident a month ago.

According to Fox 13 Tampa Bay, Nicole Folz, 38, suffered burns over 95 percent of her body on Nov. 14. She died three days later at Tampa General Hospital. The accident also severely injured her 11-year-old son, Jeffrey.

Nicole Folz worked as a manager and server at Tarpon Tavern for many years.

Dan Jenkin, who owns the Tarpon Tavern at 21 N. Safford Ave., along with the Tuscan Sun Italian Bistro next door, launched a GoFundMe campaign on behalf of the Folz family.

To date, the GoFundMe campaign has raised $39,373 for the Folz family of Holiday, but Jenkin has set a goal of $150,000, anticipating the many expenses facing the Folz family.

"All donations will assist the family with Nicole's funeral costs, her hospital bills, young Jeffrey’s existing and ongoing hospital bills for skin grafts and long-term rehabilitation, child care and ongoing living expenses for the surviving family of six who are now without Nicole’s income," Jenkin said on the GoFundMe page.

Jenkin said the death of the young mother has hit the close-knit community of employees and customers at the two Tarpon Springs restaurants hard.

"The sudden and tragic loss of Nicole Foltz devastated our community," Jenkin said. "Nicole was loved so much because she truly loved life. Her radiant smile always filled the room. She was always there for everyone — there for every relative, every friend, every customer, every co-worker, every birthday, every anniversary, every day for everyone."

Nicole Folz's husband, Jeff, said family and friends had gathered around the firepit in the back yard. He said he had just gone into the house when Nicole Folz apparently attempted to keep the fire going by pouring gas into it. He said the gas can blew up in her hands.

The explosion also injured their son, Jeffrey, who was standing next to his mother. Jeffrey spent 12 days at Tampa General Hospital being treated for second-degree burns over 40 percent of his body.

"He went through many surgeries, skin grafts and now he is facing long and very intense therapy," Jenkin said. "He is a strong boy, but still very fragile. He misses his mom terribly."

"It's just one of those senseless acts you don't expect to happen in your family," Jeff Folz told WFTS-TV, stressing the importance of not using gas to light fires. "I don't want to read about somebody else's family having to go through this. It's unimaginable."

The celebration of life and fundraiser will take place on Dec. 18 from noon to 6 p.m. at The Stockyard country music club at 1916 U.S. 19, which is donating the space for the event.

Tarpon Tavern will serve favorite dishes and also raffle a gift basket. In addition, there will be live music by the John Gonzalez Band, Carley Rogers, Aubrey Wollett and DJs Maniac Moss, Frankie Figs and JV, along with gift baskets donated by other businesses and a 50/50 raffle.

Tickets are $10 and for sale on the Tarpon Tavern Facebook page.

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