People in the Brechin area, on the east side of Lake Simcoe, are rallying to support a family who lost their home in a devastating fire.
Fire officials believe an unattended candle caused the fire, which broke out around 8:30 Monday night and reduced the home to a pile of rubble.
Sam Little, who lived in the home with his wife and children, says he lit the candle after strong winds in the area knocked out power to the home.
He says he then headed outside to work on a car with one of his four kids, while his two youngest daughters were in their bedrooms.
“I smelled something funny. I saw flame and I knew I had to get the kids out,” said Sam.
Sam’s wife Kara and their oldest daughter were just arriving home as the fire was tearing through the house.
“The front of the house was glowing and within a matter of minutes the whole house was gone,” she said.
It took 40 firefighters about 13 hours to completely put out the fire.
“This is a perfect example of what can happen if you leave candles unattended,” said Ramara Township Fire Chief Dave McCarthy, who believes the candle set a couch on fire. “It's so important not to leave them unattended or near flammable material.”
The house has an estimated $200,000 in damage, and the three family dogs also died.
The Littles had been renting the home, and didn’t have content insurance.
The community is pulling together for the family and donations are being accepted at the following locations:
- Ramara Township Municipal office - 2297 Hwy 12
- Leska's Meat & Delicatessen – Uptergrove
- Mnjikaning Kendasswin Elementary School - 6147 Rama Rd
A trust fund has also been set up at the CIBC branch in Brechin, and donations can be made here.
