Thursday, March 28, 2024

Over $27,000 raised for Victoria family who endured ‘horrific’ arson attack

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A GoFundMe for a Ukrainian pastor and his family whose Fernwood house was ravaged by arson this week has surpassed $27,000 in under a day.

“Whatever amount you may donate—we appreciate anything,” said Andriy Fabrikov.

Ukrainian Cultural Centre board member Fabrikov launched the fundraiser hours after flames erupted at 1112 Caledonia Avenue and damaged the over 100-year-old heritage home.

VicPD and the Victoria Fire Department were called to the fire shortly after 1 a.m. on Wednesday, April 20th.

Fire crews put out the blaze, but it left the house’s front porch, second-floor balcony and surrounding areas destroyed and charred in black soot.

“Our Ukrainian community was shocked and saddened by the outrageous act,” wrote Fabrikov to the GoFundMe page.

“A family of five barely managed to save their lives last minute, and apparently, all the kids had to jump from the second floor. Their eldest daughter had been badly injured. She’s had to go in for surgery,” he said.

“The rest of the family only has mild injuries. We are raising funds to help buy the first necessities (food, clothing, etc.) and support their cat, now recovering in a vet clinic.”

Ukrainian family of 5 – home was arsoned / GoFundMe

Ukrainian Canadian Congress president Devon Sereda Goldie echoes Fabrikov, saying it’s great to see the community support the Vyshnevskyy family after this “horrific attack.”

“Their family is an integral part of our local Ukrainian community, and supporting them in this way is the least we can do,” Goldie told Victoria Buzz.

Yuriy Vyshnevskyy, who lives in the house with his wife and three young daughters, is a pastor at the Ukrainian Catholic Church of St. Nicholas, located next door.

Vyshnevskyy said his wife awoke moments before the fire broke out to find gasoline poured through the mail slot next to their front door.

According to VicPD, Major Crimes Unit detectives continue their investigation into the arson, calling on any witnesses, dashcam footage or video from the area between midnight and 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

VicPD has since released video footage of a light-colour, possible white, four-door vehicle that was spotted driving past the house moments before it was set ablaze.

Investigators seek to identify and speak with the vehicle’s driver, asking anyone with information to call VicPD at (250) 995-7654. To stay anonymous, call Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 222-8477.

You can donate to the GoFundMe here.

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