HURKETT — Friends and neighbours in the Dorion-Hurkett area are helping a local elderly couple rebuild their lives after a devastating house fire on July 31.
By the time volunteer fire crews arrived at the scene, the home was fully engulfed in flames and could not be saved, according to Dorian’s Emergency Services on Thursday.
Although the couple and their pet dog did manage to escape unharmed.
Fire chief Ben Atkinson said they have not been able to determine the cause of the blaze.
Ron Dumonski and Barb Holtzman, who are in their late 60s and early 70s respectively, were set to retire when the fire occurred, according to the GoFundMe page set up by their friend and neighbour Ashley Littlefield.
“Ron and Barb were always there for my husband and I when we lived next door, no matter the time they were there. That goes for anyone who needed a helping hand,” reads the GoFundMe fundraising appeal.
“Many laughs, memories, and friendships were made in this home with many people,” she continued.
To aid in their efforts to rebuild, Littlefield set has out to raise $30,000.
As of the time of publication, more than half of that had already been raised, over $16,600.
“Please help in anyway you can whether that’s simply sharing this or monetary donations,” Littlefield added.
Those looking to donate to aid the couple can still do so online.
