Two more fundraisers are trying to help families burned out of their homes in last Monday’s townhouse fire in Port Moody’s Heritage Woods neighbourhood.
A Gofundme campaign for Lucian and Taryn Sauciuc is hoping to raise $5,000 for Lucian and Taryn Saucic, who just recently moved into the complex in the 2000-block of Panorama Drive, according to organizer Steph Tollstam.
In a post on the crowdfunding site, Tollstam said the couple is also expecting their first child in January. Lucian Sauciuc is also a basketball coach at Centennial Secondary School in Coquitlam.
“Let’s do our best to support his young couple during this difficult time,” said Tollstam, adding the couple lost all their belongings in the fire, that broke out at about 4:40 a.m. last Monday (Aug. 7).
Another campaign launched by Shauna Harper for the family of her sister-in-law Dayna Harper has already raised almost $15,000.
“There has been an outpouring of support and clothing donations,” said Shauna Harper in an update on Gofundme.
Meanwhile, a Gofundme for veterinarian Seantry Dean has surpassed $12,000.
Organizer Karen Harvey said while Seantry and her two sons escaped the blaze unhurt two of their cats needed emergency care for smoke inhalation and a pet guinea pig that was feared lost in the fire was found alive and well by a restoration crew.
With the help of an off-duty Surrey firefighter, as well as crews from Coquitlam, Port Moody firefighters were able to knock down the fire in about an hour, according to Port Moody Fire Rescue Chief Darcey O’Riordan. Several units were destroyed or heavily damaged, and the flames were so hot, some siding on units across the street melted.
Fire investigators, as well as detectives from the Port Moody Police Department are working to determine a cause. But PMPD spokesperson, Cst. Sam Zachariaz, said it was “suspicious in nature.”
