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More than $15,000 was raised in just days after the Wu family was forced to evacuate their Rockville residence in the Rockshire neighborhood when a fast-moving fire sparked in their garage and spread to the rest of the home.
Shortly before 10 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 18, crews were dispatched to the 1400 block of Gerald Street, near Bentley Court, when a family smelled smoke and made an emergency call.
Upon arrival, crews were met by flames showing from the garage, which had spread to the rest of the home, causing "significant damage."
The family was able to escape safely, but most of their belongings were burned, broken, or suffered extensive smoke and water damage, according to organizers of a fundraiser on behalf of the family, which is staying at a nearby hotel as they determine how to move forward.
Organizers say that the family has lived in Rockville for nearly two decades, where the patriarch works at the National Institutes of Health and his wife takes care of their three children and is active in a non-profit organization teaching technology to senior citizens.
"As their friends, neighbors, school community, fellow parents and residents in this community, let's pitch in to help in any way we can until they get resettled and restart their lives," they wrote.
"This community has extended virtual arms around the Wu family to steady them as they deal with the aftermath of the fire."
"It's also a good time to hug and kiss our families and say a prayer for the Wu family to help them overcome this tragedy that could have been much worse."
The GoFundMe can be found here.
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