pitamom2009, I have some household items that they can have when they find a new home. I have been doing some spring cleaning and was going togive it to goodwill but I'd rather do a nice thing and give it to them. Just email me here and I'll be glad to help when they need stuff.

runrabbitrun: Re: your comment FYI to this comment "I don't think the fire department appreciates the "help" of civilians when they're in the process of dealing with a house fire". I referred only to the pictures taken after the JFD was already on-scene. Obviously it's great that neighbors helped rouse the occupants BEFORE the JPD arrived. I've done it myself, ironically in the same neighborhood!

i understand the public place stuff. I also respect privacy when someone loses a loved one or a home. That is all I was saying. I was not trying to offend anyone.

Is that the dog in the back window?

The American Red Cross was present at the site and assisting victims. I don't know what provision they have for clothing or food donations, though.
http://southcentralwisconsin.redcross.or...

That would have been my brother that took in the kittens. I believe that there was 6 altogether but one of them passed away. I am so grateful to Mrs. Kinkade for helping him in his time of need. Thank you so much

some people are horrible and hateful and very judgemental. I would never move back there. Can I add closeminded too?

Here's a heartwarming story for everyone saddened by this story. This family brought 5 of their sick kittens to Badger Veterinary Hospital today after the fire. These kittens are all suffering from smoke inhalation. One of Badgers good clients, Karen Kincade, was kind enough to donate $50 from her own pocket to help this traumatized family afford the medical care their little kittens needed. Thank you Mrs. Kinkade! We need more people like you!

Look I am sorry I have said anything about those pics. Right now all I am is worried about my brother and his family. There is nothing I can do here but I am wishing that I was there and could start that drop off place for them. My brother has 3 young boys and an older daughter. Is there anyway that anyone can help with clothes or other things. How do we set up the account for them.

anyone know anything about the other family?

All of the catty and snide remarks on this thread and many of the others make me sad and embarassed to be a janesville resident. They make us look like horrible hateful people. Too bad some people can't take their negative energy and turn it into positive.

Maybe everyone needs to stop picking and snapping on each other and do something productive since some people have soooo much "extra time " on their hands. Maybe someone in janesville can be a drop off site for donations, or someone set up a fund at a bank or something. I live too far away or I would have. I have been a victim of a house fire and it is not fun.

I think janesvillean has proven time and time again that he is an asset to these message boards and the community. He always shares his knowledge and expertise with others in a straightforward manner. He admits when he is wrong and shows respect for his fellow posters. Don't get all uppity about the pictures- the Gazette prints them- I just don't see what the big deal is. You talk about him having too much time on his hands, but it seems to me that if all you have to do is complain about such trivial matters, then you should find something else to do with all of your own free time.

ihavealife: I wish I had extra time on my hands. In fact there were other people working behind the scenes to make sure that the tenants in that building were made safe, and today I made sure that the Gazette reporter knew about the building's history. I probably should not say more for legal reasons.

Lets see, Janesvillean did not interfere with the firefighters and listened to the police when they said he was too close. Some of you act like he was taking pictures of people dying. Nothing wrong with what he did. No harm, no foul. Thanks for the pics.

For all of you who complained about the pictures. Did you look at them? That means your just as guilty as the person who took them. Stop complaining all the time. It's frustrating!

First of all, taking pics? What is wrong with that. Who knows? It may assist in an investigation, or even in paying out the insurance.
Give it a break. You all looked at the pic in the paper, didn't you?

Secondly, if someone isn't trained to be a firefighter, they should not run into a burning building at all. To suggest something like that is ignorant.

janesvillean: Thanks for the great pics. No good deed goes unpunished, eh? He takes the pics, uploads them, and then shares the link with us and some people actually complain?
56789: You said "It is disrespectful to use their disaster for your own personal perversion". So, now taking pictures of a breaking news event is a perversion? Get real.
pitamom2009: Sorry if you have family that lives there, the important thing is they all got out safely. As to your comment "Why can't you go make sure that everyone is ok or try to help in some way". While I understand the frustration you must be feeling when you're so far away, I don't think the fire department appreciates the "help" of civilians when they're in the process of dealing with a house fire. Good luck to you and your family members.

Nothing wrong with taking pictures what did it hurt? the people were already out and safe. It was news and was in public view. I don't think camras are only for family pics They IMO are for anything. Did it bother people when the 2 guys filmed 911 and made a documentary of it? I am grateful that the people did get out and hope they are all ok.

You are welcome! I hope your brother contacts you soon.

Ok with that in mind why would you take pics anyways if you were not with the news or part of the people that were affected by this. I understantd that peolpe want to see it but think about the family.
Thank you BeenThereDoneThat for the info. They were not allowed to tell me much about what happened but they would let him know to get ahold of me. Thanks again for the help.

pitamom - try contacting the American Red Cross office in Janesville. Their phone number is 608-754-4497. They typically respond to house fires and offer assistance to the displaced residents. If they got involved with your brother's situation (the article doesn't say whether they did or not), they might know how you can contact them.

By the way, two of the children (a 17 and 14 year old, I think) were interviewed on the radio on the noon news and they seemed to be okay.

Can anyone give me more info. I am worried about my brother and his family. Is there any way for me to find out more at all. I live in Texas and my mother and I would like to know what is going on.

I can not believe that you would take pictures of someones house like that. You have no idea who lives there but I do. My brother was in that house with his wife and 4 kids. They have lost everything and all you can do to help is take pics. Why can't you go make sure that everyone is ok or try to help in some way.

You may be in an area open to the public when you take those photos but think about the people that live there. It is disrespectful to use their disaster for your own personal perversion.

prevention, I was mainly across the street and/or on public sidewalks. I respect your right to ask, but I wouldn't have to comply.

Just remember to not come to my home to take pictures if it burns down. I will send you away.

Anyway, it looks like it smells nasty in the neighborhood!

Great photos! Thank you for sharing with us all.

I have some phone photos here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stilicho63/...