IRVING PARK — A pair of Irving Park siblings are still struggling to breathe without the aid of machines after being trapped in a house fire that burned through their home Saturday.
Family friends have set up a donation site (click here) for Bulmaro, 8, and his sister Valeria, 6, who were asleep when their home at 4309 N. Monticello Ave. became engulfed in flames.
"Bul and Valeria will be fighting a long battle in the hospital as they both depend heavily on machines to fill their lungs with clean air," according to a post on the YouCaring website.
The family also lost their home and all of their possessions.
So far donors have contributed nearly $6,000 toward the $15,000 goal, which will help keep the family afloat while the children recover. The youngsters' mom, Francisca, who works nights to help support the family, is unable to return to her job while her children remain hospitalized, according to the website.
The donation site "was set up to help alleviate some of the stress ... while Francisca concentrates on the kids and their battle," organizers said.
Neighbors on the family's block have been pitching in with donations of food, clothing and household items.