Suggestions Please. Assistance to a family affected by house fire.

[Plymouth71]

Yesterday afternoon, I watched my Brother in-law's home burn down. They live about an hour south of us in a small town. I have not been able to speak with him about the incident as He is a volunteer firefighter, and was assisting in the battle. They lost everything including a conversion van they were going to use to travel to visit friends and family in February. He was injured during the initial stages, but refused to go to hospital after the ambulance attendants bandaged him up.

They are currently staying with neighbors. We went out and supplied them with a change in clothes and basic toiletries. What I'm trying to do is determine what else I can do. I wonder if anyone here has encountered this situation before and have any suggestions. I'm planning on buying some books and or toys for their 2 girls.


Are there any suggestions for assistance I can offer until insurance assistance comes through?

Thank you for your help.

 

[Dennis H]

Thoughts and Prayers. Is Red Cross on scene? Locally, they are the ones who help with temporary housing etc. When possible, attach link to news story for validity. Good luck.

 

[silversedan]

where approx are you located?

 

[Plymouth71]

Were in Canada, Winnipeg Manitoba.They are in a small town about an hour south, so I might have to wait a week for the local newspaper to report.

 

[lewtot184]

years ago there was a man who came to my house. this man was a seventh day adventist, and no i don't belong to this church. he said they do charitable work for people who have lost there homes due to fires. also, the salvation army is pretty good and reputable. i'd avoid the red cross. hopefully you and your family will be surprised at how local people will pitch in and help.

 

[Plymouth71]

years ago there was a man who came to my house. this man was a seventh day adventist, and no i don't belong to this church. he said they do charitable work for people who have lost there homes due to fires. also, the salvation army is pretty good and reputable. i'd avoid the red cross. hopefully you and your family will be surprised at how local people will pitch in and help.

We already have a family friend offer their fully furnished home (they have temporarily moved in to take care of their ill mother) for them to use, So I'm sure the community will come together. My next step is to try to assist with finding a replacement van.

 

[super-bee_ski]

So sorry to hear of the loss...

 

[Meep-Meep]

Very sorry to hear of this but it sounds like you and others are doing the best you can do.

 

[Photon440]

What a shame, you hear about these things but usually it isn't someone that you're actually in communication with like this case. My condolences, I hope your brother-in-law's injuries weren't too bad. Was he burned, or get hurt lifting something heavy?

It's nice to hear how they've got people helping with a place to live and to take care of things. At least you say they had insurance, wouldn't that take care of a hotel and transportation until replacements are secured? I'd have someone in your family phone the insurance company and see what they can do for immediate needs.

 

[Plymouth71]

What a shame, you hear about these things but usually it isn't someone that you're actually in communication with like this case. My condolences, I hope your brother-in-law's injuries weren't too bad. Was he burned, or get hurt lifting something heavy?

It's nice to hear how they've got people helping with a place to live and to take care of things. At least you say they had insurance, wouldn't that take care of a hotel and transportation until replacements are secured? I'd have someone in your family phone the insurance company and see what they can do for immediate needs.

I'm sure the insurance being taken care of today. I'm unsure of the extent of his injuries beyond a burn of some kind. He is a volunteer firefighter, so he (being a senior member) was involved in directing the activities. I was not going to interrupt him. His wife was in a state of shock so I left her in the care of my other Brother and Sister in Law. They are in a small town with no hotel, but it appears someone will be giving them a place to stay.

 

[Moparsmitty]

Sorry about your family's loss. House fires take a long time to recover from and there's usually a rush of help at the start that can be kind of overwhelming while the fire is fresh in everybody's mind. A few weeks and months down the road the memory can fade for everyone except the victims, so make sure that they know that you are there to help them for the long haul. Kudos to you for being there for them.

 

[silversedan]

We already have a family friend offer their fully furnished home (they have temporarily moved in to take care of their ill mother) for them to use, So I'm sure the community will come together. My next step is to try to assist with finding a replacement van.

too bad you weren't a little closer, a customer of mine has a Dodge conversion van at my shop , I did some work on it and he said he want's to sell it.
Russ

 

[Budnicks]

My deepest condolences go out to them,
losing your house & all your belongings & cars must be tough as hell

I hope the insurance takes good care of them

As to what to get them, maybe some stuff for everyday life
maybe some clothes, especially for the children {toys, games or books are a great idea also}
tooth brushes, combs, brushes, towels etc.
some dishes, silverware, pots & pans ?
maybe some furniture, lighting & bedding ?
a wheel barrow, shovels, rakes, trash bags, boxes, vacuum, broom, mop & cleaning supplies ?
a vehicle is tough/expensive deal, but plenty out there to get,
think of all the little stuff you will lose in a fire...

I'm not sure anything I listed is good or not, BUT
it's not all the big stuff sometimes, that are missed the most...

Your support & a helping hand means the most
I'm glad they have a place to stay, 1st priority, their health & warmth, personal welfare,
the material things can all be replaced...

best of luck to them for the future

 

[slepr1]

Offer your support and assure them they can rely on you. Other than that the insurance will pay for everything.

 

[NJRR]

Don't be so sure that the insurance company will pay for everything. I had a house fire about 15 years ago and the insurance company tried to screw me big time, not paying for this and that. I had to hire an independent insurance adjuster. He charged 10% of the claim but got me 30% more than what the insurance company told me was the "final" amount. Not sure how it is in Canada, but don't think the insurance company has your family's best interest at heart when it's time to pay a big claim !!!! It's all about the bottom line for them and the claims dept mission is to pay out as little money as possible.

Offer your support and assure them they can rely on you. Other than that the insurance will pay for everything.

 

[Plymouth71]

For those wanting to see the news story

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manit...ter-firefighter-loses-home-to-blaze-1.2883233

 

[Plymouth71]

Latest update:


[video=youtube_share;9t3sgeiG0GU]http://youtu.be/9t3sgeiG0GU[/video]

 

[Brandy]

I hope that your family continues to be blessed by those who care. I lost my entire house and two cars and the garage and everything in both to Hurricane Hugo. I know how overwhelming it is to receive caring and thoughtful gifts from total strangers out of thin air. It is very humbling. That video of the girls opening gifts really choked me up. Best wishes.

 

[snakeoil24]

They are lucky! No loss of life so everything else is material things. Be thankful to god. A home in my neiborhood burned and 1 person died. This happened Christmas Eve.

 

[Plymouth71]

Thanks for sharing. We are very thankful that no one was killed. God has been very good to us.