An Ohio family chasing their dream of living by the sea in Cape Breton say they are lucky to be alive after their RV burst into flames just hours short of making their dream come true.
Richard, Amanda and Gwen Piegan — along with their dog Twila — escaped the burning vehicle just seconds before it was completely engulfed in flames late Sunday afternoon on Highway 104.
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They lost everything, including their money, passports, documents and devices containing contacts in Nova Scotia that Richard hoped would lead him to a job in the fishery.
Piegan’s dream took a detour around 5 p.m. Sunday about 10 kilometres short of the toll booth on the Cobequid Pass.
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His wife noticed smoke coming from the rear of the RV, seeping around the sleeping compartment where their daughter Gwen was napping. Within seconds the RV was a raging inferno.
“I tried to get it out with the fire extinguishers but couldn’t,” Richard told Global News Monday.
He got his family and their dog out of the RV, but then went back in for a second fire extinguisher to fight the flames.
By then, it was too late.
A passerby Piegan described as a volunteer firefighter pulled him out of the RV and got everyone to stand well away from the fire because of the fear of exploding propane tanks.
In about 30 seconds Piegan’s life was reduced to ashes and twisted metal.
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But instead of being discouraged, Piegan says the help and encouragement of Nova Scotians has hardened his resolve make Cape Breton their home.
“A lot of Canadian people have rallied around me,” Richard said.
The Red Cross stepped in and provided the family with a temporary place to stay, food and personal items. But the temporary hotel room is only good for a couple of days.
Insurance won’t cover the loss, and Piegan says he now needs to find someone who will sponsor him for a job so he can stay in the country.
Although he’s worked as a mechanic and housebuilder, his dream is to work on the sea.
His wife has a masters of public administration and wants to teach. Gwen has hopes of teaching English in Japan some day.
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For now, the Piegans are trying to get over the shock of what happened, and pushing forward.
“Moving to Cape Breton is all we’ve talked about for a long time now,” Richard said.
“But I’m not going to give up now. I’m going to make my dream come true.”
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