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Thousands raised in hours for young Chilliwack family displaced by fire

Family with 2-year-old lost everything in fire, supposed to move to Alberta next week
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Aftermath of the duplex that caught fire on Alameda Drive in Chilliwack in the early morning hours of Friday, July 16, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

Hours after a young Chilliwack family lost its home to a fire, a fundraiser was set up to help them.

Within four hours, more than $4,000 had been raised via a GoFundMe account for the family of three with a two-year-old boy.

“David and Tilly had a house fire last night, Friday, July 16, and lost everything they own,” wrote Rachel Kieneker who set up the GoFundMe page.

Their home was one of two destroyed in the blaze. The fire broke out in the Alameda Drive duplex in the early morning hours of July 16 on Chilliwack Mountain.

A Facebook post about this fire on Alameda Drive on Chilliwack Mountain on July 16, 2021 said the family with a two-year-old boy managed to get out but they lost everything. (Mike Kieneker/ Facebook)
A Facebook post about this fire on Alameda Drive on Chilliwack Mountain on July 16, 2021 said the family with a two-year-old boy managed to get out but they lost everything. (Mike Kieneker/ Facebook)

READ MORE: Firefighter injured in early-morning blaze at duplex on Chilliwack Mountain

“They managed to get out in time but have nothing. Everything is gone,” wrote friend Shelley Goerzen on social media.

A “sold” sticker was seen on a for-sale sign outside their home.

“Their house was for sale and they were supposed to be moving to Alberta next week Friday. The house sale has fallen through and all their plans have been turned upside down,” Kieneker said. “If you are able, anything will help them at this point.”

To donate to the GoFundMe, go to gofundme.com/f/dave-and-tilly-house-fire.

A couple lived in the second home destroyed by the fire.

READ MORE: Fundraiser launched for second Chilliwack family displaced in Alameda Drive fire

Aftermath of the duplex that caught fire on Alameda Drive in Chilliwack in the early morning hours of Friday, July 16, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
Aftermath of the duplex that caught fire on Alameda Drive in Chilliwack in the early morning hours of Friday, July 16, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

Aftermath of the duplex the caught fire on Alameda Drive in Chilliwack in the early morning hours of Friday, July 16, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
Aftermath of the duplex the caught fire on Alameda Drive in Chilliwack in the early morning hours of Friday, July 16, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)


 

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Email: jenna.hauck@theprogress.com
Twitter: @PhotoJennalism

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Jenna Hauck

About the Author: Jenna Hauck

I started my career at The Chilliwack Progress in 2000 as a photojournalist.
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