Nearly $500K donated to support community of Lytton, B.C., after devastating fire
The devastating fire that tore through Lytton, B.C., this week has left a lot of families in need of immediate help.
The entire village was ordered to evacuate on Wednesday night as a fast-moving fire overtook the community, leaving residents little time to grab personal belongings and cherished mementos.
They are now displaced, scattered around evacuation centres across the region or staying with family and friends. The fire burned through most of the town, destroying many homes and businesses.
But the outpouring of support has been nothing short of remarkable. Nearly $500,000 had already been raised online by Friday afternoon. GoFundMe has even created a page dedicated to fundraisers verified by the online platform.
"To see the town levelled, it's hard to watch," said Ronnie Dean Harris, one of the co-ordinators of a fundraiser set up by Savage Society and 2 Rivers Remix Society.
Supplies were also being collected Friday at the Massey Theatre in New Westminster. Throughout the day, community members were dropping off items like food, water, clothes and other supplies. Funds will be distributed by Savage Society, a not-for-profit with a majority Nlaka'pamux board of directors together with community members.
"Almost everybody I know up there lost their homes," said Harris. "It’s heartbreaking, I'm worried about the people, worried about the kids and worried about the elders. My heart's heavy and I don't know if this is going to make a dent, but we're going to do it."
Another fundraising effort is underway for members of the Lytton Rattlers, a Wildland Firefighting Unit Crew. They were on the ground in the community when the fire flared up and are still working to fight the flames.
"Basically, they were out there fighting the fire trying to get the town evacuated and where they were staying, all their person possessions are gone, they were just completely lost in the fire," says Terry Chui, fundraiser organizer.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.