A local Esquimalt church has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help support the victims of the tragic apartment fire that took place on Sunday.
The fire claimed the life of one woman and impacted the roughly 120 people who live in the building, some of whom are now homeless.
One day after the blaze engulfed the apartment, the Esquimalt Church of the Nazarene (located only blocks away from where the fire took place) created a GoFundMe campaign for the victims with the hopes of raising $50,000, or approximately $2000 per family.
“Many of the families, up to 120 people, who were evacuated are without content insurance and lost everything, either to fire, smoke, or water damage,” reads the GoFundMe description.
“They are also, for the time being, homeless.”
Some displaced residents are reportedly being temporarily housed by Esquimalt’s Emergency Social Services. Victoria Buzz has reached out for details.
Since the fundraiser’s launch on Monday, over $4000 has been raised by the community, and the number continues to grow.
“Any donation is greatly appreciated, will be tax receipted, and all monies will be forwarded to victims of this tragic incident.” reads the campaign. “Thank you in advance for your generosity.”
The GoFundMe campaign, called Esquimalt Apartment Fire, can be found online here.
Victoria Buzz has reached out to the church’s pastor, Barry Goodwin, for updates on the campaign.
Background
At approximately 3:45 p.m. on Sunday, April 7th, a fire broke out on the fourth floor of a four-storey apartment building in the 800-block of Craigflower Road.
Dozens of firefighters from multiple departments worked to put out the blaze and rescue trapped apartment residents from upper floors.
Witnesses say that bystanders spotted one woman trapped on her fourth floor balcony and tried to establish a safety net for her to jump to. The woman, who was in her sixties, stayed in her unit and sadly passed away.
See also:
- Fire engulfs top floor of Esquimalt apartment building
- Woman killed in Sunday’s apartment fire in Esquimalt
