An online campaign has been launched to raise funds for a woman who is rebuilding her home following a fatal fire in Vancouver's West End.
Vancouver firefighters responded to reports of the blaze on the fourth floor of a 15-storey high-rise building at 1255 Pendrell St. on Monday (Jan. 31). Crews arrived at the scene within a couple of minutes, Asst. Chief Ken Gemmill told Vancouver Is Awesome in a previous phone interview.
The department classified the blaze as a "second alarm" fire almost immediately, which means that 40 firefighters were on scene within five minutes.
Two people were taken to St. Paul's Hospital following the incident. One of them, a female occupant, made her way out of the fourth-floor unit via a neighbouring window and then out of the building. The other occupant, a 37-year-old male, was rescued by firefighters; he later succumbed to his injuries in hospital, Gemmill said.
Now, Vancouver resident Ali Dee has launched a fundraiser for a tenant who escaped the fire that destroyed her apartment this week.
The GoFundMe campaign states that Tracey Buchanan's neighbour died in the flames but she was able to escape without injuries. However, her home is described as "pretty much destroyed" with the "windows blown out and her belongings covered in ash and smoke."
Dee notes that Buchanan does not have insurance is attempting to clean everything by herself and is looking for support to help cover the cost of a hotel and cleaning supplies.
"Tracey is a very generous neighbour, some may recognize her as the community dog walker and groomer. Let’s try to help her get back on her feet," she adds.
The fire "appears to be accidental" but Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services is conducting an investigation.
Find out more information about the campaign online.
