ESTEVAN — An Estevan family whose home was damaged in a recent fire is grateful for the support it has received from the community.
The Estevan Fire Rescue Service reported it had responded to the fire at the Sky View Pointe Modular Home Park in south Estevan in the late afternoon of Feb. 17. No injuries were reported in the fire, the EFRS said, but the building was damaged.
Mike Teixeira, who resided in the building with his family, said they had returned from Regina to drop off a family member. They had been home for about 20 minutes when their son noticed the fire, which he believes started in the front porch area.
“Afterwards, it was all hands on deck. Everybody out. Not a drill,” Teixeira told SaskToday.
Everybody in the home was able to escape safely, he said, as well as their pets.
“The neighbours were a big help as the fire was happening. They took the animals from me, put them away in their cars and my kids as well, kept them safe for me while I was trying to put the fire out.”
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The family lost all of their bedding and furniture, but they were able to escape with some clothes. They did not have insurance at the time, he said.
Teixeira praised the work of the emergency crews, including the fire department, saying the work they did kept the smoke damage to a minimum.
The family has found a temporary home elsewhere in south Estevan and they’re trying to get life back to normal as quickly as possible, but Teixeira said he recognizes it will take some time. The children have handled the situation well.
“Nobody is very distraught about it anymore,” he said.
A GoFundMe campaign, Mike and Jen Rebuild After their Tragic House Fire, was launched by their friend Reauna Blight shortly after the fire. As of the afternoon of Feb. 22, it had raised $1,000 of its $5,000 goal. Blight describes the family as dear friends and neighbours.
“Thankfully, Mike, Jen and the kids got out safe along with their pets. However, in such a tragic time, unknowns are ahead. Please help us in supporting this amazingly wonderful family to cover the unexpected needs and costs while they repair and manage their lives during these uncertain times,” the campaign states.
“We are reaching out to the community in this time to ask for help in any way. Every bit of support helps. Thank you for being such a caring and supportive community.”
Any support people can offer would be a blessing, Blight said. No donation is too small, she added, and every donation is appreciated beyond measure.
“If you are unable to donate, but are looking for other ways to help, whether it be clothes, shoes, or household items, please contact me and I can put you in touch with the appropriate people. Thank you so much,” Blight wrote.
Teixeira said everybody in the home park was very helpful, and those who knew about the fire have been helpful and have done what they can to help.
