New Brunswick community of saint joan The holidays came together to help those displaced by the fire.
A fire gutted an apartment building in St. John’s, trapping more than a dozen residents two days before Christmas. Every resident came out of the fire alive, although not all of the pets in the building survived the blaze.
It will only take a few minutes for community groups and residents to offer up ways to help.
As families watched their homes burn, the Boys and Girls Club of St. John arrived with toys to deliver to a young boy whose belongings were destroyed by the raging inferno.
Passers-by and community members immediately tried to brighten up her holiday; In one case, the Kennebecasis Valley Fire Department delivered new, wrapped toys by the truckload to children.
Relief donations similar to Fiona’s from Ottawa have not yet been distributed to the Red Cross
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One mother, Crystal Jesso, described the fire department at the scene with gratitude as she described those dropping off toys and presents for Christmas while first responders battled the fire.
“The next day, the fire department came to my parents’ house and the lights were going,” Jesso said.
“She showed up with so many gifts from the firehouse that they were all wrapped. They gave her (her son Jacques) a fire hat. Was awesome.”
While toys and mementos may have been burned, everyone came out alive, possibly thanks to a Good Samaritan who walked by before anyone could recognize or thank him.
When a car parked outside the apartment building started honking loudly, Jesso ran to the window. She then saw the man on the phone with 911 to see flames leaping out of the building and residents yelling to leave the building.
Some residents quickly moved in with friends and family after the fire, and with the help of the Red Cross hotel rooms were booked for those who had nowhere to go.
A couple, John and Robin Moyse, moved into their new apartment on Thursday evening; It was with the help of the City of St. John’s that they were able to find housing.
John told Global News that he has begun to pick up the pieces of his life once again, to compensate for the almost complete loss he has suffered. She described the support of the community and talked about the bed, dresser and other furniture that helped pave her way forward.
A necklace was purchased that read “Happy to be here”, a tribute to Robyn’s father, who coined the phrase and came to support the couple when flames engulfed their apartment. Was.
Shortly after the fire, John finds the necklace meant for his partner.
Jack Power / Global News
Others are still looking for ways to find refuge.
Jeff Craig and his girlfriend seek shelter while staying at a hotel in downtown St. John’s. Red Cross support for Craig and the other displaced residents ended on Friday, and after that, they are on their own.
Craig said he was grateful for the support he had seen but indicated he would be left homeless in the city if a solution was not found in the coming days.
He said he and others in the city would continue to seek housing solutions.
GoFundMe pages have been set up to support those displaced during that time.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
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