A family that lost its home to a fire on Jan. 13 is overwhelmed by the support it has received from the community.
“It is so great to have this kind of support, it is unexpected,” said Chris Balson, owner of the house at 820 Coopers Square.
“You don’t expect something like this to happen to your family and it is so fantastic that people are willing to do this for you. We are so grateful for all this support. It is amazing how the community came out, offering us donations and kind words.”
The family has received clothing, blankets, toys and gift certificates. Katie Heaven, who helped organize the donation effort, said the Balsons are like family to her.
“I look after their little girls and I am overwhelmed at all of the support we have been getting from the people of Airdrie,” said Heaven.
Balson and his family have lived in Airdrie since 2007 and moved into the house that burned down two years ago.
He was at Canadian Tire when the fire broke out.
“I got a call from my neighbour and I got back to the house just as they were setting up the aerial truck,” he said.
“I just saw light smoke and I thought, ‘It can’t be too bad.’ The fire chief told me there was nothing they could do except contain it and I thought, ‘Are you kidding me?’ It was just shock. I couldn’t believe we were about to lose everything.”
His wife Jackie was at work in Calgary and their triplet two-year-old girls Hailey, Shantal and Kyra, were at Heaven’s day care when the fire started. Even the family dog was not at home at the time, as a neighbour was taking it for a walk.
Balson said blaze officials have told him the fire was likely caused by an electrical malfunction and they took the electrical panel and a space heater with them for inspection.
“Upon police and emergency services’ arrival, a two-story residence was found to be emitting a large amount of smoke. The home was completely destroyed in the course of the fire,” said RCMP Const. Robert Frizzell.
“Neighbours in adjacent homes were asked to evacuate. Fire investigators believe the fire started in the basement of the residence and do not believe the fire to be suspicious in nature at this time. A joint investigation is ongoing as Crossfield Fire Services assisted in combating the blaze due to the densely populated area and close proximity of the homes.”
Balson said the family is “getting by but it has been tough.”
“We are having some good times and bad,” he said. “We are just so happy to all be OK.”
Residents can donate money to the family at any TD Canada Trust branch.
“What an amazing community,” said Heaven.
“It makes you feel like you are a part of something really special. It is such a loving community.”
Balson said the family is not accepting large items because they are currently staying with his parents while they are looking for a rental property.
“We don’t have any space for any more donations of clothes or toys or blankets but what we would really like is gift cards or funds for the trust,” he said.
“When you lose absolutely everything, the feeling of going out and buying something you need, that feeling of ownership is huge.”
Balson said he would also like to thank fire officials and police for all their hard work.
“The fire department and police force have done an excellent job,” he said.
“They did an amazing job containing the fire and closing down the street for two days. They were super helpful and we couldn’t have asked for a better bad experience.”
Airdrie Fire Services are asking residents of the neighbourhood to remain clear of Coopers Square as there are emergency vehicles moving in the area.
