Basketball legend Shaquille O’ Neal has posted a Facebook video thanking Fort McMurray first responders.
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“Thank you to the incredible first responders in Fort McMurray. You guys are true heroes,” says the video’s caption, posted online Tuesday evening.
The wildfires in northern Alberta have made headlines around the world; 80,000 people have fled their homes in the Fort McMurray area, and the wildfire has grown to roughly 230,000 hectares in size.
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Officials, fire crews, police, and countless volunteers have been working around the clock to battle the flames and help those who were evacuated.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart, you guys are the true heroes,” Shaq says in the video.
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“Love you guys, love Canada. And thank you. You guys are real heroes.”
Shaq then breaks into song, singing Canada’s national anthem.
“Thank you, Fort McMurray, love you guys.”
In the comments section some Fort McMurray evacuees expressed gratitude for the kind words.
“Thank you Shaq. My community has been turned upside down. Really appreciate the sentiment. Take Care,” Ken Ball writes.
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“Thank you so much. It was the most horrific time of our lives, we are so lucky for the support we are receiving from all around the world. As an evacuee, simple messages like this mean so much to us,” says the comment from Eden Boutilier.
“Thank you Shaq. Being a Fort McMurray evacuee that wants nothing more than to go home I truly appreciate and love your message,” wrote Melanie Serroul-Jacobs.
It’s unclear how soon evacuees will be able to go back home to Fort McMurray; there is still no public access to the city and officials say it is not yet safe to return. It’s estimated 10-15 per cent of the town was destroyed by the fire.
Click here for a full list of Fort McMurray wildfire coverage.
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