ROCKFORD, Mich. — A family in Rockford is in dire need of help after a fire completely destroyed their home, leaving the father, Erik Jorgensen, in the hospital with severe burns. On Monday, the family was notified by the fire inspector that they had found the remains of Blue, one of the family's dogs, inside the home.
The family's other pets made it out safely.
The Rockford Fire Department said it responded to a call around 2:20 a.m. for a house fire.
When crews arrived, they said they found the garage and the back half of the house on fire.
Jorgensen remains in the hospital. His sister, Danielle Aniszko, said in addition to the burns across his body, he's also being treated for soot burns in his throat and lungs.
As of Monday, Aniszko posted on the family's GoFundMe that Erik remains on a ventilator, and will reevaluate taking him off the velnilator as they are trying to reduce the swelling in his throat.
She also says doctors determined that his burns were not as deep as origionally thought, but will still take time to heal.
Jorgensen's wife, and three of their children, ages 10, 13 and 22, were not injured. However, Aniszko said they're now without clothes, shoes, glasses and contacts and other necessities.
"He ran back in for his kids, so he's a hero in my book," Aniszko said.
She said Jorgensen, his wife and the three children are essentially only left with little clothing they were wearing when they escaped from the home.
"We're just blessed that they got out and everybody is at least alive, and my brother is going to be okay. It's just gonna take some healing," Aniszko said. "We believe that, you know, God will help us through this."
Aniszko wants to thank the community of Rockford, their church communities and those who have already reached out to provide clothing and food.
The Rockford Fire Department said the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Family members have also provided the following clothing and shoe sizes for Jorgensen, his wife and children.
Erik Jorgensen: 13M shoe, XL shirt/sweatshirt, XL sweatpants, XL underwear
Sarah Jorgensen: 7.5W shoe, small/medium shirts, medium sweatshirts, 5 jeans, small sweatpants
10-year-old son: 6 kids shoe, 10 kids sweatpants, small shirts (14/16)
13-year-old daughter: 11W shoe, large shirts, medium pants, medium underwear
22-year-old son: 12.5 shoe, 2XL shirts, 42/30 pants, XL/2XL sweatpants
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