On Dec. 17, the Lower Macungie Township Fire Department was dispatched to a fully-engulfed house fire at 7129 Myrtle Drive.

Responding to assist were Western Salisbury Fire Department, City of Allentown RIT, Berks #21 Fire Department, Fogelsville Fire Department, Goodwill Fire Department, South Whitehall Fire Department, Alburtis Fire Department, Cetronia Ambulance and Macungie Ambulance.

Now, the Jackson family, of 7129 Myrtle Dr., Lower Macungie Township, is dealing with not only the loss of a home but also the loss of two family members.

Douglas A. Jackson Jr., 55, was pronounced dead 9:51 a.m. at his residence. His son, Douglas A. Jackson III, 21, was pronounced dead at 10:09 a.m.

According to Coroner Scott M. Grim, D-ABMDI, the cause of death is attributed to smoke inhalation. The manner of death is pending the completion of the fire investigation.

Douglas A. Jackson III was a 2013 graduate of Emmaus High School and a student at Lehigh Carbon Community College.

The fire was called into 911 by a neighbor, Jim Onushco, at approximately 6:05 a.m. Dec. 17.

Onushco, who lives diagonally from the Jackson home, heard screaming and saw black smoke coming from the home. He told his wife to call 911 to say the Jackson house was on fire and he ran over to the house.

“When I got there, the front door was open. Lisa Jackson was running in and out, yelling they (her husband and son) were still inside. Onushco said the smoke was thick at the bottom of the steps. He yelled for Doug and Dougie and heard nothing. He started breaking windows out and another neighbor arrived to help break windows.

“The black smoke just billowed out of it. It really went rapidly from there, shooting from the top and then the roof collapsed. It went so fast.

“I’ve seen fires before but not like that,” Onushco said.

“The Jackson family is a really nice, beautiful family. Doug and Dougie will be greatly missed.”

The Lehigh County Coroner’s office, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal are conducting the investigation according to Grim.

The American Red Cross is providing disaster mental health and spiritual care along with assessing the needs of the people and families affected.

A Go Fund Me account has been set up to help the family with funeral and other expenses. As of Dec. 20, over $25,000 had been raised by 464 contributors. The link to the fund is https://www.gofundme.com/khfcpq7w.

Another group fundraising for the family is OxyFit Gym, 6480 Alburtis Road, Macungie. On Dec. 26 at the Macungie location, two special classes will be held open to members and the public. Everyone participating will pay a small fee and all money will be donated to the Jackson family. The Zumba class will be held 9 to 10 a.m. and the Turbo Kick class will be held 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. For questions, call 610-391-0040.

In addition, neighbors are collecting gift cards for the family. For more information, contact Rhonda at 610-703-4313. Contributions are also being taken by the Angel Network in the East Penn School District with designations for the Jackson family.

Funeral services were held Dec. 22 in Succasunna, N.J.