Donation Request for Hartland Family Who Lost Home in Early Morning Fire

Neighbors of the local family who lost their home to an early morning fire on Tuesday are organizing a collection of needed donations for the family of six.

The family, which includes mom, grandmother and four children, were inside the home located at 1542 Remsing when a fire broke out shortly before 4:30 a.m., according to a report from the Press & Argus.

“They lost everything,” neighbor Melanie Hardy said. “I know right now is a hard time for everyone to give, but whatever anyone can do will help.”

Along with donations of clothing items, Hardy said gift cards and gas cards would also be helpful since Christmas presents for the four children that were stored inside the home were also lost in the blaze.

Hardy said she woke up around 5 a.m. to the sight of lights flashing and saw the fire immediately. 

"You could just see the blaze," she said. "At 5 o'clock in the morning, they brought two more rigs in and I know they closed off the street behind them and evacuated them (neighbors)."

Although there were no injuries and everyone made it out of the home safely, Hardy said the family made it out with "only what they had on.”

While the fire remains under investigation, Hardy said they were told that heat lamps from the chicken coops attached to the back of the home may be the cause of the early morning fire.

The family did find temporary housing, according to the Press & Argus, and the American Red Cross was on the scene providing assistance as well.

Clothing sizes for the family include pant sizes 7-8 and medium size shirts for mom and 15-year-old daughter. Girl pant size 14 and misses shirt large for 12-year-old daughter, pant size 10 kids and small to medium shirt size for 10-year-old daughter and pant and shirt size 4T- 5T for 4-year-old boy.

"I'm hoping to get something for them by Thanksgiving and then we'll just give them the rest as it comes in," Hardy said.

To donate to the family, contact Hardy at 810-632-9509 to arrange a drop-off location.