Community rallies around Renfrew, Ont. family who lost everything in house fire
Around 5 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 1, the Renfrew Fire Department responded to a house fire at 54 Graham Ave. Shortly after, Chris Stokes came back home having just left for work to find everything in his home destroyed.
"Within 15 minutes it was gone," Stokes tells CTV News. "The smoke damage—I can't get over how bad smoke damage can be."
Stokes says Renfrew's fire chief told him the fire was electrical, and started under the fridge.
"I've convinced myself that it's a mouse because it's a little easier to sleep that way," says the 39-year-old. "I almost lost my two boys and my dog in one sitting."
Firefighters believe the fire in Chris Stokes's home was electrical and nature and started under the fridge. (Dylan Dyson/CTV News Ottawa)
To compound the situation, the single father of two boys, 12 and 14, says he did not have home insurance. Co-worker and friend Caleb Bennett says Stokes was already working overtime to make ends meet and buy Christmas presents for his sons, which were also destroyed.
"As soon as I heard the news that there had been a fire at his house I kind of assumed the worst and imagined it was going to be a worst case scenario," says Bennett. "I automatically starting thinking he was going to need some money."
Bennett started a fundraiser which has already raised more than $5,000 for the family. Clothing and furniture donations have come pouring in since Wednesday as well.
"There's no more need for winter clothing for any of the boys, either of the boys or Chris," says Bennett. "Coats, jackets, gloves, boots, shoes, everything. I've been overwhelmed with getting messages. Support from the community has been unbelievable."
Stokes took Friday to go through the home to salvage anything that may be left, which he says wasn't much. He says he now has three options: gut the entire house and fix it up, tear down the home and rebuild, or sell it as it. The father of two admits he has had time to decide what to do between crying and praying. He also says the response from the community has left him shocked.
Chris Stokes's home in Renfrew, Ont. was seriously damaged by a fire on Wed., Dec. 1. The community is now rallying to help replace what he and his two sons lost in the blaze. (Dylan Dyson/CTV News Ottawa)
"Not going to lie to you guys, I wasn't a fan of this place, I wasn't a fan of Renfrew," Stokes said as he shook his head. "And today I love Renfrew."
"It just shows what a community we have here and that there's just such a Christmas spirit," says Bennett. "People understand that giving is what it's all about, and just taking care of each other."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.