PORT ORCHARD — A GoFundMe account was established to raise funds for the funeral expenses of four members of the Simpson family, who died in a South Kitsap house fire Saturday morning (Oct. 14).

By midday on Tuesday, Oct. 17, its goal of reaching $10,000 had been reached.

The GoFundMe account was set up by Port Orchard resident Martha Riley, who posted the information on the Port Orchard Facebook page Sunday, Oct. 15.

The victims of the fire at 3874 SE Castlewood Drive were Vili Simpson, wife of Don Simpson. Simpson’s son, Merle, and his two children — 2-year-old girl, Madison, and a 1-year-old boy, Collin — also died in the fire. The Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Oct. 16 that Don Simpson was a resident at the home on Castlewood Drive.

Don Simpson survived the blaze by escaping the burning residence shortly before South Kitsap Fire and Rescue crews arrived at 3:54 a.m. He is an employee of the South Kitsap School District’s maintenance and grounds department. Simpson was hospitalized and released later that day from Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton.

According to the GoFundMe account page, 185 people had donated funds to cover funeral costs for the family.