Dartmouth family overwhelmed by support after fire destroys home

A family of seven in Dartmouth has been overwhelmed by support from the community after their home was destroyed by fire yesterday.

On Friday afternoon, a blaze broke out at their rented house on Windmill Road. Jody Livingstone, her boyfriend and their five children were not home at the time but two cats had to be rescued from the building.

“The whole upstairs, everything is gone,” said Livingstone.

“The rest of the house is smoke and water damage. Everything’s gone. All the kids’ new Christmas gifts, all their special teddy bears, their clothes, everything.”

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The family is staying with relatives for now and the Canadian Red Cross has helped with emergency purchases. The community has also stepped up by donating bags of items, including toys, clothes and household items.

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Meanwhile, a Go Fund Me account started by Livingstone’s mother has a goal of raising $5,000 to help the family get back on its feet.

“I’m amazed at all the help and all the support and I’m very, very thankful for it all,” Livingstone said.

Livingstone volunteers with the Take Action Society, a non-profit organization in Dartmouth that strives to improve the community by giving back. The group has been collecting donations for the family.

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Donations can be dropped off at the Dartmouth North Community Centre on Highfield Park Drive or the Northbrook Community Centre on Chapman Street.

“It just really shows the community cares and is coming together as a team,” said fellow volunteer Lyssa Peters. “Here at Take Action, we’re all family. Together, we’ve got each other to support.”

The children, aged four to 13, are spending the weekend out of town and are still coming to terms with what happened.

“I don’t think it’s really clued in, sunk in,” said Livingstone.

“My four-year-old has no idea what’s going on. He just wants to go home. I’m taking it minute by minute.”

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The family is still waiting to hear from investigators on the cause of the blaze.