ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – In the early morning hours of Tuesday, as a family was asleep in their Julington Creek home, a loud noise woke Marina Samoilich.
When she ran out of her room, she was met by large flames coming from outside the kitchen window.
MORE | 1 cat dies, another saved in Julington Creek house fire; cause under investigation
According to an online fundraiser, she rushed to grab her son and his cousin, who was there for a sleepover, and get them out of the house. She hurried back inside to grab the family dog, but sadly, one of their two cats, “Silver,” followed her back inside and died in the fire.
Everyone else escaped unharmed, but their home and most of their belongings were lost in the fire.
Now, the local community is helping them rebuild.
Over 120 people have donated nearly $10,000 to the online fundraiser to help them cover the immediate costs of everyday living. Insurance will cover living costs and the rebuilding of their home.
“It’s been amazing. People I’ve never met have been giving me hugs, giving us clothes, praying for us and giving us monetary support. This is more than I could have ever asked for,” father Roman Samoilich told News4JAX on Friday.
Roman Samoilich said the final fire investigation hasn’t been completed, but he thinks it could be related to an electrical issue in the attic.
The family is very thankful for Capital Veterinary Specialists, Jax, which helped with the initial vet bill for the cat that did survive the fire, “Cinnamon.” Her paws were burned in the blaze, but she is recovering.