Heartfelt thank you from the Byford family

The fire started around 2 a.m. on Saturday inside Chris and Shirley Byford’s barn, on Bethel Road, south of Demorestville. – Shauna Duguay Byford photo

Feb  1^st, 2014 will be a day the Byford family will never forget. The farm buildings on Bethel Road have been around for 140 years and in the Byford family for 58 years. It sadly burnt down while many of the livestock were still inside. Although losing a long held family property was painful enough, the thought of all the helpless animals trapped inside is something we will carry heavy in our hearts for the rest of our lives.

Firstly we would like thank the fire crew that spent over 15hrs putting out this tragedy. It truly could not be done without you, and you’re  forever appreciated. To dedicate your lives in this profession is a very noble and selfless thing to do and speaks worlds of your character. Thank you.

A very special thanks to Drew and Jennifer Byford. If not for their immediate awareness of the fire, the outcome would have been an even bigger devastation.  As well as the help of Drew and his excavator that helped to extinguish the fire so that the remaining building could be saved.

There has been an overwhelming support from family, friends, and neighbors. You all know who you are and it means very much to us.  From the ladies that supplied the copious amounts of food for the firefighters and family, to the generosity of complete strangers willing to accommodate our remaining livestock, you are not forgotten. Your kindness at this time is appreciated immensely.

And a very special thanks and sincere gratitude goes to Bruce Hoekstra and his family for housing the remaining livestock and the offering of feed and water.  It’s people like this in our lives that help us to see the brightness at the end of a gloomy tunnel.  Thank you all so much.

Sincerely,
Chris and Shirley Byford and family