Community helps family after fire

[projekktor id=’22548′]

The local community is rallying behind a family after a fire tore through their Dundas home over the weekend.

While the family of five managed to escape, the damage is extensive.

The fire gutted the one-story house, causing approximately $300 000 in damage. John Inthazixay’s insurance company was sifting through the burnt out debris.

Firefighters say the blaze started at the back of the house, but the cause is still under investigation.

His wife and his three children, all of whom are under the age of 5, have been staying with family in Brampton.

Inthazixay says the support from family, friends, neighbours and complete strangers has been overwhelming.

“Some of our neighbours would give us their keys to our house. And said if you need a place to stay or if you need a place to just decompress here is a key and welcome to our house.”

The family has set-up a gofundme page to help channel the outpouring support.

The fund surpassed its half way target of $5000 in just one day.

The family says the proceeds from the fundraiser will go directly to rebuilding their home. Any extra money would be donated directly to a Syrian refugee family.

Inthazixay arrived to Canada as a refugee by boat in 1979.

Even though him and his family are going through a devastating time, he wants to return the same generosity he was shown when he first came to Canada.

“I think it’s going to be probably a year until we get rebuilt. Once we do our checks and balances and see how much we have left, we want to give back to the Syrians that are coming to our neighbourhood and community.