A fundraiser has been started for the parents of a 32-year-old man, who was a father, that died in a fire at the family’s home in Marengo on Saturday.
The Marengo Fire Protection District responded around 4:30 a.m. Saturday to the 400 block of North Hale Street in Marengo for a report of a structure fire.
Marengo Fire Protection District Chief John Kimmel said that despite a quick response time from firefighters, whose station is nearby, the home was fully engulfed in flames on their arrival.
The Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) was activated to bring additional firefighters and equipment to the scene.
Firefighters battled the fire for approximately 90 minutes before getting the blaze under control, Kimmel said.
After the fire was under control, firefighters located a male victim deceased inside the residence.
Nicholas Andersen, 32, of Marengo, was identified as the victim by McHenry County Coroner Michael Rein. An autopsy was scheduled for Tuesday.
Rein said that Andersen lived in the home. Multiple animals were also found dead inside the residence.
The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal and the McHenry County Coroner’s Office was called to the scene to assist in the investigation.
Andersen, who is a father, lived in the home with his parents. The house is considered a total loss, fire officials said.
Janelle Landon, who is a long-time family friend of the Andersen’s, created a GoFundMe account for the family. It has raised $3,500 in two days with a goal of $10,000.
“I can’t imagine the pain of losing a child. My heart hurts for the entire Andersen family. Wish I could take all the loss and pain away but I know that’s not possible,” Landon said.