Family home lost to fire
The home was a complete loss. Courtesy Blue Sky
A family in town is without a home following a devastating fire last week in the village area. Luckily, no one lost their life.
The structure was completely engulfed in flames by the time the first officer from the Kahnawake Fire Brigade arrived at the home on Church Street, assistant fire chief Wihse Stacey said.
The home was located just across from the band council office.
A resident from the home made the call for help just before 10 p.m. last Thursday, Stacey said. Everyone that was available to come put out the fire showed up within the next 15 minutes, he said, a group that included at least 22 firefighters and paramedics.
“One of the residents had some injuries, and he was brought to hospital,” Stacey said, describing his injuries as non-life threatening.
Nobody else was injured in the fire, he said.
Three Kahnawake Peacekeepers also arrived, police spokesperson Kyle Zachary shared, blocking off the road to drivers so firefighters could focus on putting the flames out.
Dwayne Kirby was among the neighbours in the area that had to be evacuated until the fire was under control. He wasn’t at home when the fire first began but quickly drove over after finding out there were fire trucks and ambulances on his street.
Olivier Cadotte The Eastern Door
The entire home was taken over by the flames by the time he arrived around 10 p.m. One person from the home was in the midst of being treated by paramedics for smoke inhalation by time he pulled up.
“They were getting the neighbourhood evacuated because all of the embers were being blown over to our direction,” said Kirby, saying water had to be sprayed on surrounding homes to prevent the fire from spreading.
“The risk for the fire to move over was pretty high at the time,” he said.
The Kahnawake Shakotiia’takehnhas Community Services White House building across the street was opened up for the duration of the operation, thanks to Kirby, who works there as their manager of facilities.
“One of the households that was evacuated actually came out and they helped us. They brought us water, they brought us blankets, they brought us some food.” Stacey said. “I just wanted to say thank you. It’s nice to know that in times of disaster, that the community does come together.”
Kirby said he was happy to help out, saying he’s known the family across the street for the last 30 years now, saying they built their homes across from one another within the same year.
“You feel so helpless. Because on one hand, everybody was there, the neighbours were all accounted for. We were relieved for that, but they literally lost everything that they owned, and there’s nothing you can do to fill that void,” Kirby said.
Lynne Norton, the sister-in-law of Lenore Angus, the mother in the home, spoke on behalf of the family, saying they’re beyond grateful for all the donations that have come in from community members. Some even donated a fridge and stove, she said.
They lost not only their home but also two vehicles and a trailer full of supplies, Norton said.
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“They’re really thankful for all the first responders that showed up, the fire brigade, the police, everybody who showed up to help try and save their house, which couldn’t be saved,” she said.
“They want to thank everyone in the community for all the support that they’ve been showing, by just showing up to see for themselves that they’re okay.”
