An online fundraiser has been created to support a 15-year-old boy who lost his mom in a house fire in Corpus Christi.
The Corpus Christi Fire Department responded to a residential structure fire on Aug. 19 at 1:15 a.m. that was contained to a bedroom, according to public information officer Richard Vargas.
The fire was controlled at 1:30 a.m., and two fire and arson investigators were called to the scene.
Valerie Mack, 43, died as a result of the fire, the Nueces County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed.
The cause and origin of the fire are under investigation, and no additional updates could be provided as of Aug. 24.
Michelle Bondurant, a friend of Mack's and a parent at London Independent School District, said she created the GoFundMe campaign
to help Nathan, Mack’s son, and his grandparents, who are now his caregivers. They are both retired and have a fixed income.
The GoFundMe donations will also help restore Nathan’s clothing and personal items lost in the fire as well as immediate and future needs.
“We were all just devastated, and everybody wants to be able to do something to help them,” Bondurant said about Nathan and his family. “The London community has been amazing. It's just a beautiful thing to see. … Everybody came together so fast.
“[Mack] was just the sweetest person. She always had a smile on her face and the sweetest laugh. It was very contagious,” Bondurant added.
The GoFundMe had raised $15,655 as of 9:30 a.m. on Aug. 25, close to the target of $16,000.
Felicity Guajardo covers breaking news and public safety. Contact her at felicity.guajardo@caller.com.
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: GoFundMe created to support Corpus Christi teen after mom died in fire
