UPDATE: Faithwire was the first national outlet to share this story and ask people to give, and in less than 24 hours around 3,000 of you rallied to donate $181,284 to the Lukens family. First, thank you for your generosity. While the financial situation of the family isn’t clear, at least it is clear that money concerns and stresses won’t be an issue. Second, continue to lift them up in prayer as they grieve and begin to navigate the road ahead. May God give them peace in the midst of pain. If you wish to contribute, you can do so by clicking the image below:
Original story:
A community is reeling and asking for help after a terrible tragedy struck a small Pennsylvania town this morning. A massive fire ravaged the home of a police officer and, despite his best efforts, he was unable to save two of his young children.
Bryan Lukens is a Deputy Sheriff in Montgomery County, PA, a husband and father to three small children. Lukens was able to save his wife, Tracy, and their 9-year-old daughter Soffia. Despite his best efforts, however, Lukens was unable to save his two young sons, Bryan Jr., 11, and Parker, 4, who were found on the second floor.
The family pets also reportedly did not escape the fire.
Heartbreaking scene of deadly fire in Schwenksville Montgomery County where firemen hold up a white sheet at burned out windows at back 2nd floor bedroom where two boys were killed in their house fire early today @FOX29philly pic.twitter.com/92j9pcjRpj
— Steve Keeley (@KeeleyFox29) December 13, 2017
The fire broke out early Wednesday morning and quickly spread, engulfing the home and waking neighbors, shocked and horrified by what they saw.
“I woke to shouting outside, which is very unusual for our quiet neighborhood,” neighbor Kim Munsell told NBC Philadelphia. “Please pray, pray for this family, especially now around the holidays… this is a horrible tragedy.”
This is indeed an unimaginable tragedy, and this family will need prayer and support during this holiday season.
A family friend set up a GoFundme account for people to help the family take at least one worry off their plate. The organizer, Kyle Boelter, says he’s a family friend whose children have hung out since first grade. Here’s what he wrote:
A devastating fire started in the early hours of December 13, 2017 at the Lukens family home in Schwenksville PA.
Investigators are still at the scene determining what happened, but based on eyewitness and neighor accounts the father, Bryan who is a police officer, made every effort to save his wife, three children and the family dogs.
He was able to rescue his wife and daughter, but unfortunately couldn’t save his two sons or the family pets. We will update this page as details emerge.
Aside from being friends with the family, we can’t imagine the pain, anguish and helplessness of losing a child, let alone two whose lives you tried to save from a tragic accident.
The family has lost eveything and nothing can replace who and what they have lost. However, we are setting up this account with a beginning goal to raise at least $10,000 to provide them with some support when they are able to to start piecing things back together. Whether that be a new home, clothes or whatever the family determines that they need as they begin to receover from this tragedy.
As soon as I have Bryan or Tracey’s e-mail address, they will be designated as the sole beneficiaries of this fund where only they can make the withdrawal for what is being raised. We hope anyone who sees this can donate what they can.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Lukens family, may God comfort them in their time of need.
Kind Regards,
Kyle Boelter
You can make a donation to help this family by clicking HERE. But also be sure to pray as they grieve the loss of two young children, that God may indeed grant them peace in the midst of pain, and set them free from any guilt they may be feeling, as any parent would.
As a member of law enforcement, Lukens has dedicated his professional life in service to his community. Hopefully, the community and country can rally around this family and show them just how much they are appreciated.
Continued prayers for the Lukens family.