Three Alberni Valley fire departments responded to a devastating house fire in Beaver Creek just before midnight on Friday, Aug. 14.
“It was a mobile home with a small addition on it,” said Beaver Creek Volunteer Fire Department Chief Charlie Staratt.
“My deputy Chief actually lives just around the corner and it was fully involved when he got on scene.
“It appears that it started outside on the deck but we don’t have a determined cause.”
Nobody was hurt in the fire, said Staratt.
“Nobody was hurt, none of the firefighters were hurt.”
A family of three were living in the home and the father and baby were already outside.
“The baby wouldn’t sleep so dad had the baby out in the car for a drive and mom was in the shower. She came out, saw the house on fire and escaped,” said Staratt.
The house was completely destroyed.
“There was nothing left of the home and there was nothing left of the contents,” said Staratt.
Beaver Creek was joined by the Port Alberni Fire Department and the Sproat Lake Volunteer Fire Department due to their automatic mutual aid agreement.
Staratt said that 23 firefighters and four trucks were on scene to battle the blaze.
“The fire was extinguished by 1 a.m. and they were doing mop up after that,” said Staratt.
“The crew was on scene till 7:30 a.m. putting out hot spots.”
As soon as the fire was out, the donations started pouring in, said Lynne Love.
Kodie Love, Lynne’s son, Christine Donaldson and their eight-month-old baby Kirby have been overwhelmed with donations and offers of help.
“It’s been absolutely overwhelming with the generosity of this community,” said Lynne.
Furniture, clothing and gift card donations are the majority of what the family has received.
“A couch, tables, chairs, a bed, clothes, they’ve got so many clothes and shoes,” said Lynne.
“When they pay it forward it’s going to be amazing. In this community there’s so much love it absolutely humbles you.”
While the family is currently overwhelmed with sorting through donations and getting lives back together, anyone wishing to help can call Lynne at 250-724-5695 or email at puplove@shaw.ca.
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