It was over a month ago, on Oct. 3, when Sara Stirling got a call at work from her neighbour, saying that smoke was coming from her Highlands home.
B次元官网网址淚 had no idea what that meant, but I grabbed my purse, keys, and phone and ran out the door to get home quick,B次元官网网址� the mother of four said.
She arrived just after 2 p.m. to find her home overwhelmed with flames. She stood and watched for two hours as crews from Highlands Fire Department, Willis Point Volunteer Fire Department, Colwood Fire Rescue, and Langford Fire Rescue tried to douse the blaze.
Her husband, Graeme, and their four kids soon arrived to find their home and all their belongings destroyed. Then, they were told the last thing they wanted to hear.
Their three dogs B次元官网网址� Dino, a Shih Tzu Bichon cross; Angel, a Pomeranian Chihuahua cross; and Bailey, a Rottweiler B次元官网网址� all died in the fire.
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B次元官网网址淚t was two storeys of a house burnt down to eight inches of ashes,B次元官网网址� said Highlands Fire Chief Dean Ford. B次元官网网址淲hen we arrived, the house was fully engulfed. ItB次元官网网址檚 nearly impossible to figure out the cause with that much damage. We canB次元官网网址檛 possibly come to a conclusive answer with those factors.B次元官网网址�
Stirling said they are okay with not knowing what started the fire. Now, theyB次元官网网址檙e trying to return to normalcy. B次元官网网址淥ur family is focused on healing, moving on, and rebuilding.B次元官网网址�
They have since signed a one-year lease on a View Royal home after hopping from hotels to AirBnbs. They plan to rebuild on the site of their old home and hope to be back by late 2020.
TheyB次元官网网址檝e also found a new furry friend, Ernie, who is a three-month-old Pomeranian Chihuahua cross. They adopted him at 14 weeks old.
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B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 healing for all of us,B次元官网网址� Stirling said. B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 a calm little puppy that has spots like Bailey, and the personality traits of Angel and Dino combined. I picked him because of his beautiful eyes. When weB次元官网网址檙e hurting the most, we can turn to our pets for comfort.B次元官网网址�
Stirling said she doesnB次元官网网址檛 have words to describe how she and Graeme feel about the help the community has given them. From the words of support to the donations on GoFundMe, the couple said the generosity from friends and strangers has brought them B次元官网网址渂ack to feeling human again.B次元官网网址�
As of Nov. 14, the alone has raised more than $11,000.
The family is looking for lookalikes of certain toys that hold sentimental value to their kids B次元官网网址� three daughters ages eight, nine, and 15, and a six-year-old son.
The list is as follows: TY Beanies of Dora and Boots, a Jellycat Fuddlewuddle Kitty, a small blue unicorn stuffy with a ribbon, an old Playmobil set #4487 B次元官网网址楾he GardenerB次元官网网址�, and a wooden firetruck set sold through BC ChildrenB次元官网网址檚 Hospital. SheB次元官网网址檚 willing to buy them, if necessary.
You can reach the family at sarachristine@live.ca.
EditorB次元官网网址檚 note: An earlier version of the article incorrectly stated Sara and GraemeB次元官网网址檚 last name. We apologize for the error and any confusion it may have caused.
aaron.guillen@goldstreamgazette.com
@iaaronguillen
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