Andrew Nguyen, owner of Kozu Pizza, recalls sitting at home on a regular day when the power went out.
At first, he didn't think anything of it - it was a rainy night. But within 20 minutes, the East Vancouver split level which housed two families was in flames and strangers were pulling the eight residents from the blaze.
Nguyen and his family stood across the street in the rain and watched as their home of over 12 years burned down.
"The neighbourhood in East Vancouver was suddenly lit up with sirens, firetruck lights, and the heat of the engulfing flame. We're blessed that everyone made it out alive and safe with just minor injuries," he says on a GoFundMe page set up to help the residents rebuild.
According to the crowdfunding campaign, the money raised will go towards thrifting clothes, replacing furniture and belongings, and storage and moving costs when they find new homes.
The evacuation was so fast that the families didn't have time to grab socks, shoes, jackets, or even their glasses, writes Nguyen. The damage is also so extensive that most of their belongings are lost, though they are working to salvage what they can.
"After finding out there was no tenant insurance coverage, both families are displaced and struggling with uncertainty," says Nguyen. "We were told to grab what we deemed valuable and evacuate within a week."
Nguyen has also been forced to temporarily close his commissary kitchen-based delivery and pick-up sushi pizza business, Kozu, while navigating the move and salvage efforts. Nguyen also shared that they lost some business equipment and supplies in the fire.
"Unfortunate things like this do happen," Nguyen tells V.I.A over the phone but he is maintaining a positive outlook and is grateful for the community support his family has received. "I'll make it through this with my head held high," he says.
Right now, Nguyen is most concerned with the other family who lived in the house that may not have the same level of support. He launched the Go Fund Me to leverage and share the community's support to help them too.
