WESTLAND, Mich. – A charity fund is available for anyone who wants to donate to the family of fallen Westland firefighter Brian Woehlke.
Numerous donations have already been collected. Larry Ulmerik dropped off a donation Thursday. He says he felt compelled to donate because his son is a Farmington Hills police officer.
"I saw the fire yesterday and, being the father of a policeman, thoughts are with you everyday," says Ulmerik. "I helped a family out."
Woehlke was killed Wednesday battling a fire that consumed a portion of a strip mall on Wayne Road. He died from smoke inhalation, soot inhalation and thermal injuries, according to the Wayne County Morgue.
At 9:30 a.m., the 29-year-old Woehlke sent out a distress call. He was crushed when the roof of the building collapsed.
His body was later found in the debris.
He leaves behind a wife and 1-year-old daughter, Ava.
Woehlke was also the first firefighter to be lost in the line of duty in the Wayne-Westland Fire Department's 47-year history.
Donate online: Fallen Firefighter Brian Woehlke Charity Fund
Or, checks can be made out to:
Westland Firefighters Charity
PO Box 851320
Westland, MI 48185
Or drop a check off to Station 1, which is located at the southwest corner of Ford Road and Central City in Westland.
Companies team up to raise funds:
On June 17, Jarvis Property Restoration will team up with World's Finest Frozen Custard and Family Fun Center located at 33538 23 Mile Rd in Chesterfield.
The companies will be contributing 25% of the gross sales for that day to the fund established for the family.
Funeral information:
Woehlke's funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Divine Child Catholic Church in Dearborn. Public visitations will be held 4 p.m.-9 p.m. Saturday at Harry J. Will Funeral Home -- 34567 Michigan Avenue, Wayne, MI. Public visitations also will be held from 2 p.m.- 9 p.m. on Sunday.