A fire that left a family homeless almost a month ago continues to evoke moments of fear.
“If I hear the heat cracking or feel the heat from the oven, it gives me butterflies,” said Damien Wile.
Wile, his wife, Tanya Pine, and their children, five-year-old Cece and six-month-old Isabella, along with Tanya’s sister Jessica McDonald, fled from their Salmon River home Jan. 27 at 1 a.m. when a fire tore through their house, leaving them with virtually nothing. The family did not have home insurance.
“As of now it’s still almost all gone … we have about one per cent of our belongings,” Wile said.
Fire-stained clothes, a Christmas ornament, a headboard and footboard off of an adult and child’s bed, and charred photo albums are among the few items that remain.
For Wile’s wife, the most devastating loss was ultrasound pictures of baby Isabella that were proudly displayed for all to see.
“That’s really hard … and can’t be replaced,” said Pine.
They only moved into the house last summer.
“The furniture was all new and we re-did almost the whole house … a lot of work and pride went into it,” said Wile.
The family is searching for a home and in the meantime are staying with his parents in Bible Hill. There are 10 people under one roof.
Community members were planning a dance Friday to help raise donations for the family.
