Massive community support after a devastating house fire in the Halifax-area that killed a six-year-old girl, sending two other children to hospital as well as a man who is in critical condition.
Two GoFundMe accounts have been created to help the victims who have been affected by this tragic event that happened on Riverside Drive in Lower Sackville in the early morning hours on Saturday.
Robert Hebb, the District Fire Chief on duty tells our newsroom it was 3:15 a.m., when crews arrived on scene to the Duplex that was engulfed and crews had to work hard considering the conditions.
According to the first GoFundMe account, created by close family friends of six-year-old Chloe, she was staying the night at her cousin’s house when the fire broke out.
Six of them were in the home.
A 37-year-old woman and two-year-old girl escaped on their own and were not physically injured.
However, Chloe and her two cousins, ages five and nine were taken out of the home by fire crews and sent to hospital alongside a 40-year-old man who was heroically rescued by a neighbour, and remains in critical condition.
Tragically, Chloe did not make it.
The organizer of the GoFundMe describes the love Chloe’s parents had for her as they deal with an unimaginable nightmare.
“Chloe was the light of their lives, and her smile was infectious to all those she came in contact with. No parent should have to bury their child, especially in such a tragic way.”
Funds raised are intended to help with funeral costs.
Thousands raised in second fundraiser
The second GoFundMe for the family whose house is destroyed is rising quickly.
According to that fundraiser, that already has more than $15,000 raised, it is a critical time for the family who lost everything and hopes to ease some of the “financial burden as they begin to rebuild their lives.”
“Tanya and Jermaine are some of the hardest working and most loving parents I know, always striving to provide the best life for their children. This heartbreaking event has left them with nothing but the nightmare they now have to endure.”
Other support coming in
The Halifax Professional Firefighters are offering their support during this tragic time.
In a statement on X, they say they are “heartbroken” and their “thoughts are with the family, friends and community affected by this tragic incident”.
They say they will remain committed to supporting the community and standing in “solidarity” with those affected.
We are heartbroken by this morning’s devastating house fire in Lower Sackville. Our thoughts are with the family, friends, community and our members.
— Halifax Professional Fire Fighters (@hfxfirefighters) January 12, 2025
Read our full statement below. pic.twitter.com/WZFBmGic0u
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A vigil and bears
According to reports on social media, a vigil was held outside the family’s home on Riverside Drive, Sunday evening.
In addition to that, an initiative #bearsforprayers is in the community of Lower Sackville where residents place stuffed animals on their porches in support of the victims.
Stuffed animals placed on the porch of a Lower Sackville resident in support of the fire victims Photo: Sarah Andrews
The fire remains under investigation with no word at this time on what was the cause, but it is not believed to be suspicious.
This is a developing story…
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