Fundraiser for family of girls killed in Hellertown blaze tops $90,000
An online fundraiser for the family of two girls who died after being trapped in a fire at a Hellertown home early Friday has raised over $90,000 in just 24 hours.
The fundraiser, “Help the Kaufman Family,” has raised $90,387 from at least 1,000 donations as of 6 p.m. Saturday. The fundraiser already had exceeded its $10,000 goal shortly after being launched.
The two girls — Brianna Baer, 15, and Abigail Kaufman, 10 — were trapped on the second floor of the house on the 600 block of Linden Avenue in the fire. The girls were rescued from the home by firefighters, but later died from their injuries, police said.
Damien Kaufman, 36, and his wife, Jennifer, 42, were able to get out of the home.
“They need our help in the coming days,” according to the GoFundMe’s description. “The money will help them with hospital bills, repair bills, and more incidentals. Please consider making a donation to help them through this tragic time. Our community loves them and they need our support now more than ever.”
The Morning Call has reached out to the fundraiser’s organizer for comment.
Several borough businesses have started collecting donations for the family. Salon Mia, 401 Main St., is collecting gift cards for the family.
No further details were available on the fire as of Saturday morning. In a news release Friday evening, borough police said the fire began in a southeast firstfloor bedroom, but the cause has not been determined.
Autopsies are scheduled for Monday to determine the cause and manner of the deaths of the two girls.
Both girls have attended Saucon Valley School District schools but this year were being homeschooled through PA Cyber, said grandmother Gail Baer. The girls had intended to return to Saucon Valley in the fall.
Meanwhile, a vigil is being planned to remember the girls. The vigil is scheduled for 7 p.m. Sunday at the scene of the fire on Linden Avenue, according to a Facebook post for the event.