LOWELL, Mich. — The Lowell Area Fire Department is preparing to hold its third annual fire prevention open house and trunk-or-treat event.
The event is taking place on Saturday, Oct. 28 at the station, 315 S. Hudson Street, and will continue from 5 to 8 p.m. There will be candy and fire truck rides available for the kids in attendance.
The open house will also function as a way to collect donations for the Lowell family recently affected by a deadly house fire.
The fire happened early Wednesday, Oct. 25 along the 700 block of Flat River Drive SE north of Lowell. The family lost their 4-year-old and their home in the fire.
According to the Kent County Sheriff's Office, the boy's father is last known to be in critical condition due to his burns. Three other people were in the house and taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation. They have since been released, authorities say.
The department will be collecting money as well as physical items for the family at the event. A list of the items the family needs was posted on the fire department's Facebook page.
"They are in some pretty significant need here," said Lowell Area Fire Department Fire Chief Shannon Witherell. "You know, everything that they own has been lost in this fire...So we thought that the open house would be a good ample opportunity for folks to come in."
Witherell said he's experienced these types of situations before and the community has always come together to support those who need it.
"Our community does a great job of rallying together and supporting our own in a time of hurt need and this is clearly a time of hurt and need for this family," Witherell said. "So we've got confidence that they're going to step up and do this again for these guys."
There are also two GoFundMe's set up where people can donate to help the family:
GoFundMe for the grandparents and parents of Noah here.
GoFundMe for Noah's memorial here.
GoFundMe for dad/Mason's recovery here.
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