Fundraiser Held For Family Who Lived In Other Side Of Arlington Duplex

ARLINGTON, VA — An online fundraiser is being held to help the family who lived in the other side of the duplex that exploded Monday night in Arlington.

The Smith family was asked to evacuate their home by Arlington County fire officials before the explosion. The decision by officials for the Smith family to leave their home saved their lives.

“Thankfully, the Smith family and their sweet dog, are alive, healthy, and very much together,” Derek Cole, a friend of the family, wrote on the GoFundMe campaign site.

Because of the explosion, though, the Smith family “sadly lost all their worldly possessions,” Cole wrote.

The family’s home exploded after police said their neighbor was suspected of firing a flare gun into the neighborhood dozens of times. Video showed the duplex exploding into flames around 8:25 p.m. on Monday and collapsing as debris flew high into the air.

READ ALSO: Suspect In Arlington House Explosion Presumed Dead: Police

At a news conference Tuesday, Arlington County Police Chief Andy Penn said police believe the suspect, James Yoo, 56, was inside his home — the other side of the duplex — at the time of the explosion and police are working to confirm his death.

Three police officers received minor injuries but were not taken to hospitals, police said. Officials are unaware of anyone else who was hurt, they said at a news conference.

On the GoFundMe page, Cole said he has known the Smiths since 1994 while attending Oklahoma State University.

“Jami Hill-Smith and Lance Smith have enjoyed calling Northern Virginia home for many years,” he wrote. “They have forged strong bonds within the community, while focusing on raising a family of two wonderful children.”

Cole said they loved living in Arlington and renovating their side of the duplex “extensively and working tirelessly to create a special home for their children to flourish.”

“It is the goal of their friends and loved ones to see the Smith family get back to normal as best they can following this horrible tragedy … especially, as we approach the holiday season,” Cole said.

Visit the GoFundMe fundraising campaign site to donate money to the Smith family.