A fundraiser has been started to help a Wauconda family recover from a house fire that caused $400,000 in damage and killed their family dog Tuesday afternoon.
The GoFundMe was started by neighbor and friend Peggy Volker on behalf of the Vivero family, who moved into the house less than six weeks prior to the fire.
Raul and Becky Vivero were away at work and their daughter Rylee was at school when neighbors saw light smoke coming from the vents and chimney of their house, Volker said.
Neighbors quickly called 911 and the Wauconda Fire District responded to the 911 calls around 2:48 p.m. Tuesday in the 2800 block of Liberty Lakes Boulevard in Wauconda.
Firefighters arrived in seven minutes and found smoke coming from the eaves and vents of the home, according to Wauconda Deputy Fire Marshal Mike DaValle.
DaValle said that fire crews forced entry into the home and found smoke coming from the floor of the home.
Upon investigation, firefighters located the fire in the basement. Three separate hose lines were deployed.
The Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) was activated to bring additional firefighters to the scene and to Wauconda’s three fire stations to cover any calls in the district.
The fire was brought under control in 40 minutes, DaValle said.
No residents or firefighters were injured, but fire crews found the family’s German Shepherd puppy, Jaeger, dead.
DaValle said the blaze caused an estimated $400,000 in damage. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
Volker says the fire happened the day before Rylee’s birthday.
More than 100 donors have raised over $5,000 for the family so far.
The donations will help the Vivero family recover until insurance can step in, Volker said.
The Wauconda Fire District was assisted by Lake Zurich, Mundelein, Countryside, Nunda, McHenry, Long Grove, Lake Villa, Fox Lake, Barrington, Fox River Grove, Barrington Countryside, Woodstock and Spring Grove fire departments.