A Shawnigan Lake man is attempting to piece his life back together after losing everything in a recent fire.

Ric Munro and his partner Carole StanleyB次元官网网址檚 belongings were destroyed when a fire ripped through their cabin last Tuesday morning.

Munro, who has been delivering papers for Black Press for the past 27 years, was at home having coffee and listening to the radio when he smelled smoke. The smoke alarm soon triggered in his bedroom.

He ran into his bedroom to see flames shooting out of the ceiling by the top of his closet. Munro attempted to put out the fire with an extinguisher and garden hose, but soon realized it was too late.

In a panic, Munro managed to save his three guitars. Everything else such as musical equipment, cash and sentimental items were lost in the fire. He also tried to find his cats, but their fear sent them into hiding.

B次元官网网址淚t was my home,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 was like a zombie and then the next day it hit me and I cried like IB次元官网网址檝e never cried.B次元官网网址�

Stanley also lost a number of personal items, such as laptops and cameras with pictures from recent trips B次元官网网址� memories she said sheB次元官网网址檒l never be able to get back.

Rob Patterson, fire chief for the Malahat Fire Department, said within a few seconds of crews arriving, the cabin became engulfed in flames. Crews managed to contain the fire and let it extinquish itself because the home is outside of the fire deparatmentB次元官网网址檚 area of coverage.

B次元官网网址淚t was a tragedy for him,B次元官网网址� said Patterson, speculating the old, unlined concrete chimney was the cause of the fire.

Munro had been living in the cabin above the west side of Shawnigan Lake for the past 19 years. He moved there to get away from the noise of the city and so he could have a peaceful place to write and play music.

B次元官网网址淢y guitars are like my kids in a way. IB次元官网网址檓 lost without them. They saved me many times, so I wanted to save them,B次元官网网址� he said.

B次元官网网址淢usic has helped me through the ups and downs in my life. ItB次元官网网址檚 always been good therapy.B次元官网网址�

Now, Munro and Stanley must rebuild their lives.

He said a number of people in the community have reached out to donate clothing, bedding and food. Black Press is also providing  accomodation to the duo.

B次元官网网址淚 just wanted to thank everybody that stepped up and helped us out,B次元官网网址� Munro said.

But there is a positive end to the story. Munro returned to the cabin several days later. While sifting through the ashes, he found a porcelain piggy bank heB次元官网网址檚 had since he was a child. His cats made it out as well.

For more information on how to help, visit the fundraising campaign at blackpress4good.com.

editor@goldstreamgazette.com