Fundraiser Helps Family Injured In Cherokee House Fire

CANTON, GA — A GoFundMe account has been created to help a Cherokee County family whose house was destroyed this week in a fire. The fundraiser created by Ashley White seeks to help members of the Wilkie family, which consists of five children and three adults who suffered various injuries.

As of 10 a.m. Friday, a little more than $7,000 has been raised to assist the family. White's campaign is hoping to raise $15,000 for the Wilkies.

"I personally want to thank each of you for donating and helping out as much as y’all can," White said Thursday. "It’s very much appreciated from the family."

Firefighters with Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services responded to a call of a fire just after 11 p.m. March 13 at 1198 Franklin Goldmine Road near the Forsyth County line. 9-1-1 dispatchers were told by a neighbor that the house next door was on fire, CCFES said.

Crews from Free Home Fire Station's Squad 4 were the first to arrive to the scene of the burning one-story wooden structure (For more news like this, find your local Patch here. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here).

Cherokee Sheriff's Office deputies also responded to the scene where an eight-year-old child was found unresponsive in the front yard by a sergeant. A deputy sergeant assessed that child and repositioned the juvenile's neck to allow the victim to breath independently. Another deputy helped the victims by moving them from near the house to the driveway where they could be assessed by fire personnel.

The five children and three adults were rushed to an area hospital where they were treated for burns and smoke inhalation "ranging from minor to critical injuries," said Support Services Division Chief Danny West.

According to the GoFundMe page, the children's mother and three of the five youngsters have been released from Grady Memorial Hospital. The youngest, an infant, remains at Grady and will begin undergoing skin graphs soon. One additional family member has been released while another remains hospitalized.

Anyone who wishes to contribute to the GoFundMe fundraiser for the Wilkie family can click here.

Image via Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services