A neighbour’s house burned and the family’s Christmas presents destroyed, Alice Kolendowski had a hard time shaking a certain thought from her head Thursday morning.
“I keep on thinking about my own girls. I can’t imagine those children losing their toys,” Kolendowski, 29, said.
That in mind, Kolendowski and her sister went shopping, buying dolls, toy cars and clothing for the Jarvis family.
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The sisters were far from alone in their effort. Banks, friends and strangers are rallying behind the cause ‘ rebuilding the Christmas that Ryan and Jacinda Jarvis had planned for their three children.
Ryan, 37, said he’s been “blown away” by the generosity. Hours after his home at 1794 Seymour Cres. went up in flames about 4 p.m. Wednesday, people started giving him money.
“Total strangers. I’ve got total strangers coming up and handing me cheques,” he said. “I’m really impressed with the community.”
Donated toys stacked on the trunk of a neighbour’s car, Jarvis watched Thursday afternoon as fire officials began probing the blaze’s cause.
The house ‘ windows blackened and blackened insulation hanging out rear windows ‘ has been deemed structurally unsound, making the job difficult for investigators.
London fire prevention inspector Frank Galera said the Ontario fire marshal is handling the investigation. The blaze was reported as a fire in the back portion of the home, Galera said. Officials have not determined if that’s where it started, he said.
Flames went into the attic, Galera said, and caused damage throughout the house. The siding on at least one neighbouring home was melted.
Jarvis said the family, which moved to London from the Windsor area about two years ago, has several options for places to stay.
“All my Christmas gifts went up in flames,” he said. “But, the kids are (all right). That’s most important.”
via Londoners rally for distraught family | Metro.
