Community rallies behind Stittsville family after fire destroys home
A Stittsville family is grateful for the outpouring of community support after a fire ripped through their dream home.
"It’s been rough, it’s been rough, but thank you everybody," said Sean Toogood, who credits his eight-year-old son for alerting everyone to the smoke.
The family of four escaped with only their cats and a few belongings before the home was completely engulfed early Thursday morning.
"It’s surreal but then the support came in at a time when you’re literally falling," said Whitney Toogood, Sean’s wife.
On Friday, the Toogood family explained to Newstalk 580 CFRA's Ottawa Now with Kristy Cameron that their son Mason woke up them up when he couldn't get back to sleep and said, "something smells funny."
Friends and family have dropped off dozens of donations this week, including warm clothes, gift cards, food, and toys.
An online fundraiser has already garnered $25,000 in 48 hours.
The family says the support has been incredible and they are beyond thankful for their loved ones.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
NEW Iconic Canadian song turns 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Oprah Winfrey: I set an unrealistic standard for dieting
Oprah Winfrey said on Thursday evening that she has long played a role in promoting unhealthy and unrealistic diets.
Prince Harry, Meghan arrive in Nigeria to champion the Invictus Games and meet with wounded soldiers
Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, arrived in Nigeria on Friday to champion the Invictus Games, which he founded to aid the rehabilitation of wounded and sick servicemembers and veterans, among them Nigerian soldiers fighting a 14-year war against Islamic extremists.
Countries struggle to draft 'pandemic treaty' to avoid mistakes made during COVID
After the coronavirus pandemic triggered once-unthinkable lockdowns, upended economies and killed millions, leaders at the World Health Organization and worldwide vowed to do better in the future. Years later, countries are still struggling to come up with an agreed-upon plan for how the world might respond to the next global outbreak.
Toronto police called to Drake's Bridle Path mansion for another alleged intruder on Thursday
Toronto police say a man who allegedly attempted to access Drake’s Bridle Path property was taken to hospital on Thursday after an altercation with security guards.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Flat tire on a highway? Here's why you shouldn't try to fix it
If you're cruising down a highway and realize you have a flat tire, you may want to think twice before stopping to fix it on the side of the road.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.