Fund created to help Burnseds after loss of home
A fundraiser has been set up for a longtime island family who lost their house in a recent fire.
On June 22, the Sanibel Fire and Rescue District and Captiva Island Fire Control District — joined by off-island partner agencies — responded to the residence at 4596 Brainard Bayou Road on Sanibel.
The home of Laurel Burnsed and five of her family members has since been deemed a total loss and uninhabitable. In addition, while most of their pets survived, they lost two of them in the tragedy.
Burnsed’s coworkers and friends, Tami Wilcox and Kristine “Kris” Slagle, have organized the “Help The Burnsed Family Rebuild After Devastating House Fire” on GoFundMe to assist the family.
“I was kind of in shock,” Burnsed said of them stepping up to do so, explaining that she has always been the type to lend a hand — on the islands and in the community, anonymously — not ask for one.
Wilcox shared that Burnsed has been a Sanibel resident and the heart of Captiva for a very long time. Her son, Capt. Joey Burnsed — who also resided at the home with his wife, Crystal, and their three children, Lexi, 25, Alexander, 16, and Jaelyn, 11 — operates the fishing charter that his father started.
“This family is so very loved by so many people on our islands,” she said. “The Burnsed family has helped so many people throughout the years on the islands, including after the hurricanes.”
Wilcox added that the family would like to rebuild and “continue creating many happy memories.”
An owner relations manager for Royal Shell Vacations on Captiva, Burnsed was at work when she received a call from her son — who also had been at work on the island — that the house was on fire.
“I was in such disbelief,” she said. “You leave that morning and think everything’s just fine.”
She left work and rushed home. Once the scene was cleared by emergency responders, the family was left with a charred structure — and had lost two babies: Boobooz, the cat, and Birdo, the cockatiel.
Two dogs, Trip and Junior, their African grey parrot Smokey and one cat, Tiger, made it out.
“The fire marshal was able to get my husband’s ashes,” Burnsed added.
Capt. Joe Burnsed passed away in 2018. The couple were a few years shy of their 50th anniversary.
The family had just finished restoring the house from Hurricane Ian, putting $100,000 into it.
“New roof, new siding, new front steps and back stairs. New impact windows — new landscaping,” she said, adding that the weekend before the fire, she stood in the yard and stared in relief as everything had finally come together. “The last thing was we replaced both air conditioners. We had them less than a month.”
The family had lived in the home for 40-plus years.
“It was frustrating trying to rebuild. It just took so long,” Burnsed said. “I was finally feeling good about the house.”
Laurel and Joe moved to the islands after he left the U.S. Navy, which he joined in 1973. They had attended church and high school together before marrying. While the Burnseds have been island residents for decades, they both first came down from Orlando with their families as they grew up.
“We were vising the island before there was a causeway,” she said.
Burnsed noted that she found her first junonia in 1973.
While her husband started the fishing charter, she has been in the rental business for 40 years.
“Our whole life is out here. I don’t ever see us leaving,” Burnsed said, explaining that the insurance is an unknown now. “We’re a very strong family — I just don’t know how it’s all going to shake out.”
“I really want to rebuild on Sanibel,” she added. “I just don’t know what the future holds.”
On the GoFund Me page, Wilcox shares that the fundraiser will help provide immediate necessities, clothing, personal items and support for the many unexpected expenses that will come with recovering.
“They are known throughout the community for their kindness, generosity and active involvement in making the island a better place. They have always been the first to lend a helping hand, support a neighbor, or contribute to community events and causes,” she continues. “Today, they need our help.”
People are asked to donate whatever they can.
“Every contribution, no matter the amount, will make a meaningful difference,” she states, adding that simply sharing the page is greatly appreciated. “Thank you for helping surround Laurel and her family with the love, compassion and support they have so generously given to others for so many years.”
With $50,000 set as the fundraising goal, almost $39,000 had been raised as of July 3.
Burnsed thanked everyone who has contributed.
“The community has been tremendous,” she said. “The support from all over.”
Burnsed also thanked those who have dropped off clothes, like the box from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office on Captiva, toiletries and more. FISH of Sanibel-Captiva that has been providing assistance, along with the Sanibel-Captiva fishing guides and past customers. Then there is the emotional support.
“I couldn’t even begin to name everybody because there’s been so many people,” she said.
“Everyone has just been overwhelmingly amazing to us. You just don’t know how many friends you have — and old friends,” Burnsed said. “We live in the most wonderful place.”
To donate or for more information, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-the-burnsed-family-rebuild-after-devastating-house-fire.