Help Us After A Devastating Fire

This past Sunday our lives changed in a horrible instant. The picture above was our view as we helplessly watched our campervan become engulfed in flames and burn down. It happened so quickly and still feels completely surreal.

Just over a week ago we got our van safetied and certified by our mechanic. We have put so much money and time into it and have kept it regularily maintained, as have the previous owners. We never expected that a week after having it completely checked over by our trusted mechanic this would have happened. 

For those of you who don't know us, my partner, Mike and I have been travelling and living nomadically for the past 3 years along with our 2 dogs and cat (who passed away this Feb). We have worked hard to live this lifestyle and have dealt with our fair share of challenges along the way.

Our goal has always been to live simply, sustainably and with as little impact to the environment as possible. We had just taken a huge step towards our dream by launching our own wild foraging company. Things seemed like they were finally starting to work out for us, and then the worst thing we could have ever imagioned happened...

We were driving to start a new farm gig and all of the sudden we smelled something burning. We immediately pulled over to the side of the road and white smoke started coming from under the hood. We jumped out and Mike tried opening the hood and realized it was burning hot, he looked under it and saw a fire in the engine. 

Our first action was to get the dogs out, we quickly grabbed the ropes closest to the door and got them safely tied up. Then I grabbed my computer bag and purse, which was also right next to the door, and we started running away from it as I called 911. By that time the flame had already grown significantly and knowing that we had a full propane tank we knew it wasn't worth risking going back to get our belongings. 

Then we stood there in shock, watching our home, our vehicle and everything we owned being demolished by the fire.

We are so thankful that us and the dogs are alright. I can't even imagine if anything had happened to any of us. But we are now left in a pretty bad position. We lost everything. Stuff that we have spent the past 5+ years working for, saving for and aquiring. 

Among some of the losses were our $1000 solar panel system, our satellite GPS, our second hand propane fridge I had scoured kjiji for over 2 years to find and just finally got it a few months ago, my journals and sketchbooks, all of our clothing, shoes and boots, all of my jewellery and mementoes collected from our travels, the brand new custom mattress we had just got a few weeks ago, the beautiful custom curtains my mom and I slaved over together just a few weeks ago, our dogs medication, Mike's wallet and all of his identification, a large file folder that contained ALL of our important documents, reciepts and information and the list goes on and on and on. 

We did have insurance and have filed our claim but do not know what, or if anything is covered at this point. 

While much is still unknown right now, we wanted to reach out and ask for any help we can get. The money we receive will be used to repurchase many of the items we lost as well as help us out on whatever our next steps in life will be. 

We thank you so much in advance for helping us out during the hardest time of our life. 

I would also like to give a special thanks to the Red Cross who helped us purchase some much needed clothing, food and toiletries, and also the SPCA who donated a bag of dog food, leashes, bowls and toys to our dogs, Strider and Gemma. 

This has been the most devastating and tramatic event of our lives, but we have met so many amazing people who have been nothing but kind and tried to help us however they can. 

Thank you, thank you, thank you for everything.