Community rallies after family loses home, four dogs in fire

An Eagle River family lost their home and four dogs in a fire caused by a lightning strike during the severe thunderstorm that swept through the area July 27. Now, the community is rallying to help them rebuild.

Jessica Klemmer, her fiancé, Tony Vuk, and their three children — Parker, 15, Abel, 5, and Jaxxon, 2 — were not home when the storm hit at approximately 9:15 a.m. Monday.

Neighbors told Klemmer they heard a loud bang when lightning struck the home. After the storm passed, a couple living a few houses away opened their windows, smelled smoke and saw it drifting through the trees. They went outside to investigate, and the wife called 911 while her husband called Vuk, who was working a few miles away, to tell him the house was on fire.

At the time, Klemmer was in Rhinelander with Abel for appointments, Jaxxon was with Klemmer’s parents, and Parker was at Vuk’s parents’ home with his cousins.

“When Tony called me to tell me the house was on fire, everything became a blur. I immediately called 911, but they told me they had already received multiple calls for our address. That moment — realizing our home was burning and we weren’t there — is something I’ll never forget,” Klemmer said.

The family had lived in the home since October 2021, where they created years of memories.

“It wasn’t just a house to us,” Klemmer said. “It was the place where our kids learned to walk, where holidays were celebrated, where our routines and memories lived. It was our safe place, our little corner of the world.”

Although every material possession was lost, Klemmer said the family’s greatest loss was their four dogs: Walter, who had been with Klemmer and Vuk since they began dating; Rosie; Ziigy; and Dutton, who was not yet a year old and whom Klemmer described as “Tony’s big buddy.”

“Our four dogs were truly woven into the fabric of our family,” Klemmer said. “They weren’t pets — they were our babies, our shadows, our comfort, our chaos, our joy. Losing all four of them has shattered us in ways we can’t fully put into words.”

The day after the fire, the couple shared the news, along with photos and a video of the damage, on Facebook. The response was immediate.

“We are overwhelmed — in the most beautiful way — by the love this community has shown us,” Klemmer said. “The prayers, donations, messages, hugs, meals and support have carried us through the darkest days of our lives. Eagle River has wrapped its arms around us, and we will never forget it.”

The family now faces the reality of rebuilding their lives from scratch, with their greatest needs being housing, basic necessities and financial support. “Anything that helps us create stability for the kids means more than we can express,” Klemmer said.

Tony’s sister, Ashley Vuk, created a GoFundMe and Amazon Wish List for the family. The fundraiser has already received hundreds of donations, while numerous local businesses and civic groups have stepped up to help in a variety of ways.

Pine and Pour held a “Coffee for a Cause” event Aug. 3, dedicating a portion of the day’s sales to the family. Klemmer said The Nutty Squirrel is planning a September benefit featuring live music and food, while Wild Turkey in Conover provided the family with free meals for two weeks. Employees at Parson’s donated clothing, and countless others have placed donation buckets, organized 50/50 raffles or made financial contributions.

As the family begins rebuilding, Klemmer said they have been taking things one day at a time.

“Some moments feel steady, and others feel impossible. We’re still in shock, still trying to process the loss of our home and our dogs. Right now, we’re just moving through the motions and holding onto each other.”

To make a financial contribution, visit the family's GoFundMe or donate through Venmo at @Jessica-Klemmer-1. To view the family’s Amazon Wish List,  click here.