THUNDER BAY — The family of a Murillo-area woman who lost all her possessions in a recent house fire is looking for support to help her get her life back in order.
Oliver Paipoonge firefighters were dispatched to a residence on Wrigley Drive at 2:30 a.m. last Friday, but found the house already engulfed in flames.
Firefighters remained on the scene for about eight hours.
"She lost everything. She lost her clothing, and just everything that she had is gone," said Justin Innanen, the son of the lone 60-year-old occupant of the home.
The fire also claimed the life of her cat, all her photo albums, her furniture and all her other personal belongings.
Innanen said his mother, who has mobility issues, was watching a movie on TV when the power suddenly went off.
After getting up to investigate, she immediately spotted a fire and was able to scramble outside to safety, but not before she stumbled on the patio and suffered an injury.
"The smoke alarm did not go off until after she was out of the house and the windows had blown," Innanen said, adding that it was fortunate his mom was awake when the fire started.
Oliver Paipoonge Fire & Emergency Services has declared the cause of the blaze to be undetermined.
In a post attached to a GoFundMe campaign to raise $5,000, Innanen and his brother wrote "It's hard to put into words the despair and heartbreak" their mother has endured.
"Although she has had a tough few years filled with medical issues and family loss, she most recently found sanctuary in purchasing a home for itself ... but it was all taken away in an instant."
Innanen said their appeal for donations is aimed at helping her purchase new clothing and other essentials, and to find a temporary place to live until the house is rebuilt with insurance proceeds.
He and his brother both live in B.C., but he said other family members and friends are doing their best to help their mom.
He also expressed gratitude to the Red Cross for the assistance it provided in the immediate aftermath of the fire.
