A family of three with a young daughter are having to start from scratch after their single-family home in Sidney suffered extensive damage in a fire Saturday evening.
After hearing a loud bang in the garage, resident Janine Taverner realized a fire had started – and she quickly grabbed her 5-year-old daughter, Georgia, then ran out of the side door of the house.
Moments later, Janine’s husband Bob arrived home to see her and his daughter safe but their family home up in flames – which could be seen from the Sidney Fire department located across the Pat Bay Highway.
Firefighters were on scene within two minutes and quickly contained to the fire to half the home and garage, however, it was quickly determined that anything that wasn’t burnt was destroyed by either water or smoke damage.
Thankfully, fire crews were able to rescue the family hamster.
See also: Fire crews battle house fire on Beacon Avenue in Sidney (PHOTOS)
A GoFundMe has been set up to help to the family start from scratch – donations will help cover any wage loss and ensure Christmas can be celebrated. So far, $5,905 has been raised at the time of publication.
Bob is a long haul truck driver and Janine is a stay at home mom who runs her own business, Rustic Tavern Illustrations, according to the fundraiser page.
Sheri Swan, the creator of the GoFundme account, describes the family as close-knit and loving.
“The love that these two have for each other and to their daughter is truly amazing,” she said.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation but it is believed to have started accidentally.
