A boy who suffered burns in Wednesday’s fire at a Duncan townhouse complex is in a medically induced coma in Vancouver’s B.C. Children’s Hospital.
Kathleen August is with her son, Vincent, at the hospital, her friend Becky Daigle wrote on a GoFundMe page raising money for the family.
August’s other two children suffered smoke inhalation, but are doing well and staying with family, said Christine Gagnon, who has also put together a GoFundMe page.
August is unable to keep working while she is with Vincent, Gagnon said.
“It will be a long process of recovery for the entire family, and as they begin rebuilding it will be a difficult task,” she said.
The family has ties to Duncan’s Alexander Elementary School, Gagnon said.
Daigle’s page said Kathleen is single mother, and many of the family’s personal belongings have been lost.
“She is loving and caring and kind to everyone,” Daigle said. “And this beautiful soul could really use some support right now.
“I am hoping to raise $5,000 to go toward food and accommodation for her while she is staying in Vancouver, to help her family take care of her other two children waiting back home, lost wages, finding a new place and any other unexpected expenses that come along with something horrible like this.”
Daigle said she doesn’t want money to be a worry for her friend.
Rhonda Elliott has established a GoFundMe page for her daughter, Eyvette, whose family had to run out of their unit shoeless as the fire took hold.
“Any assistance during this horrific time is greatly appreciated,” Elliott wrote. “Funds raised will help the three of them with basic needs, food, clothes, finding a place and so much more unexpected expenses.”
The investigation into the fire is continuing, said Martin Drakely, North Cowichan’s manager of fire and bylaw services.
About 40 people who were displaced by the fire have registered at a shelter set up at the Cowichan Community Centre.
