The family of three lost their apartment, all of their worldly possessions and one of their family cats in the downtown fire in Ingersoll on Thursday.
INGERSOLL - The roofing fire at Young's Pharmacy had a devastating impact for the family living in the apartment above the pharmacy.
Helen Patton, Tim Friesen and Helen's nephew Sky lived above the building along with two family cats. Sky was home at the time of the blaze and was rescued by firefighters. He was taken to the hospital with smoke inhalation. One of the family cats was rescued and taken to the vet, the other cat, was found by the fire department deceased.
Family friend Dixie Maeden says the apartment was completely destroyed by the fire.
"Currently they are staying in a hotel together, they have no place to live, they have nothing left of their home, they have no belongings of any kind right now."
The community has rallied to support them with donations of clothing. They don't anywhere to store furniture or anything like that. Another woman from a neighbouring apartment was also taken to the hospital after the fire on Thursday. Heart FM has reached out to the Ingersoll Fire Department for comment.
The fire also had a major impact for three local businesses.
Maeden has set up a GoFundMe page for Helen, Tim and Sky.
"There was a lot of instruments in the apartment, Tim is a musician and he had thousands of dollars in musical equipment, Helen ran her business from the apartment, so they didn't just lose their home, they lost their livelihood."
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