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The blaze began around 11:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 14 in Redding at the Karlson family home on Diamond Hill Road, officials said.
A sixth-grader at John Read Middle School, Brien Karlson suffered life-threatening injuries, and after a courageous fight, he died on Wednesday, Feb. 15.
According to a fundraiser set up by friends Jessica Jacob and Elissa Williams on GoFundMe, the terrifying ordeal resulted in the parents, Tara and Scott, and Brien's 9-year-old sister Kelly going to the hospital.
"Brien was a curious and gentle soul whose love for people and animals was apparent to anyone who spent any amount of time with or around him," the friends wrote on GoFundMe.
To help the family, a call for help went out to the family who lost just about everything in the fire and the community responded in kind donating more than $140,000 on the GoFundMe site to assist the family with rebuilding their lives.
"We know they are truly grateful to all of those reaching out to support them," the two friends said. "When we experience our darkest moments, it is the people that lift us up that help us see the light."
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the West Redding Fire Marshal's office.
The school district's Crisis Intervention Team, along with counselors will be available at Redding Elementary and John Read Middle schools.
To donate to GoFundMe, click here.
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