A large storage container outside a Blackfalds mobile home park symbolizes the community’s generosity.
Donated by local company Castle Guard Storage, the seacan is being steadily filled by local residents eager to help the five people left homeless when two mobile homes burned last Thursday.
“It’s been amazing. We’re not a very large community but everybody just wants to help,” said Janice Ingham, park manager for Blackfalds Estates Mobile Park.
“People are bringing things like furniture and clothing, dishware and cookware. It’s really nice.”
Blackfalds may be one of the country’s fastest growing communities but it hasn’t lost its small-town generosity.
“It seems like when something goes wrong everyone just dives into help,” she said. “It’s really nice to see.”
A family of three was not home in the mobile home where the fire began around 10:15 p.m. A father and son escaped the neighbouring unit, which could not be saved from the flames whipped up by high winds.
Related story: Five left homeless after fire
At first, it appeared all were uninjured but Ingham said the father and grown son later went to hospital.
“They went in the next day because they weren’t feeling well,” she said.
“They had them on oxygen on the weekend.”
After a couple of days in hospital, they have been released and are now staying with relatives in Ponoka.
She hasn’t heard from the other family and isn’t sure where they are staying.
Ingham said fire investigators are still working on determining a cause for the blaze. An investigator was expected on site again on Wednesday.
“No news yet,” she said. “I’m anxious to get the place cleaned up. But I can’t do anything yet. They’re not done.
Town of Blackfalds spokesman Cale Frombach confirmed that no cause has been determined yet.
Frombach said many residents have been calling asking how they can help. They are being directed to Family Community Support Services.
“Right now, they’re getting a better list of what kind of items (the families) need. We’ve had a lot of people wanting to donate things.”
To offer help or donations call 403-600-9066.
pcowley@reddeeradvocate.com