After a devastating fire at a Holland Street West apartment building in Bradford on Monday afternoon, the community has rallied together to help displaced residents with food, shelter and other support resources.
Emergency crews responded to the scene just before 2 p.m., Monday. Eleven people were taken to hospital. On Tuesday, three residents were listed in serious condition and one was in critical condition.
There have also been a number of GoFundMe pages started to help some of the families and individuals who lived in the 84-unit, eight-storey complex and have lost all of their belongings.
Jaylin Cuco, who works at Bradford Wellness Centre, was one such resident. She lived there with her 19-year-old brother Daniel, 11-year-old sister Serena, and their father, Tony.
All members of the family are safe, but they have lost all of their possessions.
The Bradford Wellness Centre has started a GoFundMe page, asking for monetary donations to help the family. They are also accepting gift cards, donations of new and gently used clothing, household items, and toiletries. Items are being collected at Bradford Wellness Centre, located at 140 Holland St. W.
Another GoFundMe page for the Cuco family has been set up by Alicia Swan.
Justin McDonald of Deer Lake, NL, has launched a GoFundMe page for his sister, Nicole, who also lived in the building. He said she barely escaped yesterday's blaze.
"I'm doing this to help her and her four kids get back on their feet as she has lost everything," he wrote.
Bradford resident Chelsea Kincaide has started a GoFundMe page for apartment residents Jim and Pam, who are in need of furniture, clothes and food.
Nicole Deering of Bradford has started a GoFundMe page for apartment residents Alicia, her husband Kyle and their two children, 11-year-old Zach and two-year-old Alivia. The family is currently staying with other family members. They are in need of clothing, food and essentials for the children.
Lynn Clause, of Keswick, has started a GoFundMe page to support all of the residents in the building.
"I couldn’t imagine what it would feel like to have everything you ever owned gone in the blink of an eye," wrote Clause. "Doing this fundraiser and helping as much as you can would be greatly appreciated."
David McCafferty, from Dumbarton, UK, has started a GoFundMe page for his friend, Alex, who lived in the complex with his father and brother.
"I know these are trying times with COVID-19 and all, but any single tiny bit of help would be massively appreciated," he wrote.
The Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury is working with local organizations to figure out how else the community can support those displaced by the fire.
If you live at 114 Holland St. W., and need assistance, contact the town at 905-755-5366, ext. 0.
