Fundraising campaign launched to help Noxon firefighter
Smoke pours from a fire at a home in Noxon Monday. A Noxon firefighter was burned in the blaze and taken for treatment. (Photo courtesy Mary Verzier)
A fundraising campaign is underway for a Noxon volunteer firefighter who was severely injured in an explosion at a residence where massive amounts of ammunition had been stockpiled.
According to information from Jeff Platt of GoFundMe, Noxon was rocked Monday morning by the sites and sounds of an explosion.
Noxon resident Rachel Peterson, who organized the campaign, wrote that volunteer firefighters arrived and assessed the situation unaware that massive amounts of ammunition and reloading supplies were stored in the home and another explosion was imminent.
The second explosion severely injured one volunteer firefighter, Aaron Helmbrecht, who was flown to Coeur d'Alene and then later to Seattle.
"Aaron suffered extensive burns to his upper body and will have a long road to recovery with many months spent away from home," Peterson said. "It is my hope we can come together and help ease some of the burden and help with the expense of having a family member with him on this long road ahead." The community has quickly rallied around the volunteer firefighter. In just 17 hours more than 50 people have donated nearly $6,800 to help Helmbrecht and his family. To view the GoFundMe, please visit: https://gf.me/v/c/s7ph/aaron-helmbrechts-relief-fund.