P.E.I. community rallies around family who lost everything in Kensington fire

KENSINGTON, P.E.I. — After her tenants misplaced their rental dwelling to a fireplace early within the morning of Thursday, March 10, Kensington resident Cathrina Mugford is doing no matter she will to assist the household get again on their toes.

“I used to be simply devastated for them,” mentioned Mugford.

The Imperial Road home had been within the household since 1989. After Mugford’s mom died two years in the past, Mugford purchased the property and renovated it.

LaToya Martin Younger and her husband, Christie Younger, together with their three youngsters and their nephew, moved into the property in April 2021 and have been Mugford’s first tenants.

The Youngs had moved to P.E.I. from the Bahamas, and Mugford advised them that in the event that they ever wanted something to provide her a shout.

“Outdoors of the tenant/landlord, there’s a little bit of a friendship there,” mentioned Mugford.

Though dropping a household dwelling had been an “emotional few days,” she knew that the fireplace had been extra devastating for her tenants who had misplaced every little thing however the garments they have been sporting. In addition they had no tenant insurance coverage to assist substitute their misplaced possessions.

“We misplaced, however what they misplaced is a lot extra,” she mentioned, “and possibly rather more useful.”

The morning after the fireplace, she posted to her Fb web page, asking folks to provide no matter they might.

“They want completely every little thing. From underwear to toothpicks … every little thing.”

Simply over a day later, Mugford has already practically crammed up a storage storage with baggage and packing containers of garments to provide to each youngsters and adults.

‘Very fortunate’

The Kensington Fireplace Division obtained the decision shortly earlier than 3 a.m. on March 10. The residence was already totally engulfed by the point firefighters arrived, mentioned Kensington Fireplace Chief Rodney Hickey.

It took a half-hour for the fireplace to be knocked out, although the crew was on scene for hours after.

“There was a whole lot of mopping up we needed to do,” mentioned Hickey. “Hidden fires, hidden scorching spots up within the attic – it had gone proper up the wall on the east finish of the home. It was within the rafters up within the ceiling.”

The entire dwelling, mentioned Hickey, was destroyed on the within.

Three of the residents, mentioned Hickey, had been transported to the hospital to be handled for smoke inhalation.

“They have been very fortunate to get out.”

An investigation decided that the fireplace had been brought on by the garments dryer.

Moved by assist

Since placing out the decision for donations, Mugford has discovered herself blown away by the assist – not simply from neighbours however strangers and other people from exterior Kensington.

A girl who lives in Ukraine even heard concerning the fireplace and requested about e-transferring a donation.

“My cellphone has not stopped going off,” she mentioned.

Whereas the assist is superb on Mugford’s finish, she is aware of that it’s a fair greater deal for the household concerned and hopes that it makes a troublesome time of their lives a bit bit simpler.

“I hope they only get a peace of thoughts, understanding that they don’t have to fret, that persons are there to assist them,” mentioned Mugford. “I do know that they’re overwhelmed by the assist and the assistance … they only say, ‘I can’t imagine it.’”

Anybody who desires to donate, Mugford mentioned, can name or textual content her at 902-439-5389 or message Cathrina Leeanne Mugford on Facebook.

Kristin Gardiner is a rural reporter with the SaltWire Community in Prince Edward Island.

Twitter.com/KristinGardiner