Flin Flonners are stepping up to help residents displaced by a recent blaze.
Five residents lost nearly all of their possessions when flames tore through their apartment building on Tweedsmuir Street
on July 8. The building had to be demolished.
“It’s devastating. You lose everything, all your memories, everything,” said Melanie Grimeau, one of the former tenants.
“It’s all the sentimental things that hurt the most,” added Loreena Hrechka, who also lived in the building.
Events were planned to raise money for the former tenants and collect basic items such as furniture.
Meat draws were planned and held while friends organized clothing drives. A crowdfunding page was also set up to help raise funds for those affected.
Last week, members of the Flin Flon Fire Department held a car wash to raise funds for the displaced tenants.
Several former tenants of the apartment building, including Hrechka and Grimeau, were in attendance at the car wash, thanking community members for their support.
Hrechka said the response she’s received from people looking to help has been tremendous.
“My inbox has been flooded with people saying, ‘If you need anything, just ask,’” she said. “It’s really overwhelming right now because we’re still wrapping our heads around what we do need, but it’s just amazing that they’re there.”
“A lot of friends and family have been giving us clothes, money, all that. People from out of town have been contacting me, too,” said Grimeau.
An exact figure for how much had been raised by the various fundraisers was not known as of press time, but a crowdfunding page to help residents of the apartment block had raised $950.
“To know that when things settle down and we do get places, everything’s going to fall into place… that’s a great feeling,” said Hrechka.
“I’m so proud to be from Flin Flon, and this just shows why. Our community pulls together whenever disaster strikes. Whether it’s emotional support are anything, people come together.”
After the fire, members of the Red Cross small disaster response team briefed the victims and housed them in a hotel for 72 hours. Grimeau and Hrechka are now staying with family members in town.
“We’re each living in our family’s driveways. We’re in campers,” said Hrechka.
Both Grimeau and Hrechka are choosing to see the silver lining in the fire while trying to rebuild their lives.
One of Hrechka’s beloved pet turtles, Leonardo, crawled out of the wreckage and was reunited with her the day after the fire.
Another important personal item of Hrechka’s was also found in the ashes.
“I have a birthday card from my Baba who passed away,” she said. “One of the firefighters handed it to me. It’s not burnt at all. We’re going to go through everything soon, but so far, I have a birthday card from my Baba.”
