BRUNSWICK HILLS, Ohio — A Brunswick Hills family with a special needs child and twins boys due next month are picking up the pieces after their garage caught fire while they were smoking a turkey on Thanksgiving Day.
According to the homeowners, they were smoking a turkey close to the garage when it caught fire.
Both cars that were parked in the garage are at a total loss.
"Their van is five days old and its totaled," said Alex Schwedt. Schwedt and his wife Faith Adkins live behind Sarah and Matt DeBrock.
The fire never spread to the house, but it did have some smoke damage, according to the Brunswick Hills Fire Department.
"Just a few hours before it happened, Sarah texted me and asked if I needed anything for Thanksgiving because she knew that we had COVID," Adkins said. "Not only are they really great neighbors, they are really great people."
"If the shoe was on the other foot, they would be doing the same exact thing," Schwedt said. And that is why the couple set up aGo Fund Mefor the DeBrocks. As of 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 26th, the effort raised more than $11,000 of the $25,000 goal.
He said they've already turned over control of the fund to the DeBrocks so they can start gathering what they need.
Another neighbor, Kimberlee Nagy Bublik set up a second fundraiser for the family.
According to the Facebook page, the family "suffered a tragedy at their home. With a 6-year-old special needs child and twin boys due next month - this family needs our help.”
Baby shower items such as diapers, newborn clothes, etc are needed to prepare for the twins.
Immediate needs include:
- The family's 6-year-old boy is size 6/7 and size 1 kid shoes.
- The father is a size 10 shoes 2x shirts and 38 waist 30 length on the pants or XL
- The mother is in 2x/3x leggings and 2x/3x tops, size 10.5 shoes (she's 8 months pregnant with twins)
Food and gift cards are also welcome.
All items can be dropped off at the Brunswick Hills Police Department within the next week. The lobby is open 24/7 with cameras.
"Our community just comes together," said Brunswick Hills Police Chief Tim Sopkovich. "I think this is the least that we could do to try and help them out."
Although the fire was contained to the garage, there is still water and smoke damage in the house. With repairs needed, Schwedt said it could be months before the family can move back in.
"It's not like they're going to be able to move right in."
RELATED: Firefighters respond to Brunswick Hills garage fire after turkey cooking mishap
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