Huntley family seeks assistance after losing home in a devastating fire
HUNTLEY — As Huntley residents may already be aware, on the evening of March 13, the Huntley Fire Protection District responded to the 11300 block of Middletown Lane for a report of a structure fire.
Upon arrival to the two-story residence, fire department personnel worked quickly to bring the fire under control which had already spread to both floors of the home.
There were no injuries reported as all of the occupants of the home and their pets were able to escape safely thanks to the smoke detectors that were equipped throughout the house that alerted the family.
While the cause of the fire remains under investigation, the Huntley Fire Protection District estimates that the initial loss to the structure and its contents totals to be about $150,000, with the home also being deemed uninhabitable.
As a result of the house fire, the Kuhlman family have had no other option but to stay at a hotel until they can figure out other living accommodations through their insurance company, according to family friend Samantha Laufer.
“While we are so grateful everyone is safe, including all animals, the insurance company is making things complicated,” wrote Laufer on the GoFundMe account she created for the family. “All funds raised will go directly to Danielle and Andrew (Kuhlman) to help with temporary housing, food, and necessities.”
Laufer added that because GoFundMe takes a percentage of the donation funds, individuals also have the option to donate money through Danielle’s Venmo account (@Danielle-Kuhlman), which will not take out any fees from donations.
“They are doing well. Everybody is safe. Everybody is okay,” Laufer said on a March 16 Facebook video update. “You guys have been amazing with all of the support and all of that. The love is amazing. Danielle and family, they’re all so grateful for all of your support.”
She continued, “Everybody has just kind of been in a what needs to be done mode. The kids are great. They’re still doing their activities so [Danielle’s] trying to just pour into them right now. So yeah, if you guys are messaging her and calling her and she’s not responding right away, that’s why. She’s just trying to get everything sorted out and do what she can do each day.”
In addition to making monetary donations through GoFundMe and Venmo, Laufer has also set up a Meal Train account for the Kuhlman family (mealtrain.com/q6rmyr), which gives individuals the opportunity to donate meals to be delivered to the family on a specific date. Interested residents may also make monetary donations through this account as well as can donate Grubhub gift cards.
Laufer is currently looking after the Kuhlman family’s dogs and explained that she will be collecting various supplies for the family in the next few days.
As of recent, the Kuhlman family’s GoFundMe has raised a little over $3,900 of its $50,000 goal. Those interested in donating to the family’s GoFundMe can visit gofund.me/dc0a551a.
For more information on how to donate other necessities to the Kuhlman family, individuals can message Laufer via her Facebook page or can contact her through the GoFundMe and Meal Train accounts.
