Second fire in as many nights – gofundme set up for family

UPDATED FEB 23:

Prince Edward County Fire & Rescue responded to a structure fire on Inkerman Ave in Picton just before 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21.

Occupants were home at the time of the fire and were notified by a neighbour of the fire on the home’s exterior.

The house was fully involved in a wind-driven fire that also damaged the neighbouring home’s exterior. Crews quickly knocked down the fire, but it had spread throughout the two-storey home. There were no injuries, and the fire loss is estimated at $300,000.

Fire Chief Chad Brown confirms the station received information that one of the properties involved in this week’s fires may have had working smoke alarms. Originally he had stated it was believed neither did. “While it is positive news that the occupants would have been alerted to the fire and had time to escape, we can’t stress enough the importance of ensuring that all occupancies have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. ”

A GoFund Me campaign has been set up by Brittany Beimers for Erin and AJ Johnston, their one year old yellow lab Max, and their 10-month-old baby girl Maisy – who she reports all made it out of the home safely.

“The house however, with all their things, including things to prepare for their new baby they are welcoming in June, have all been lost. They are going to be starting from scratch after this fire and any help is appreciated.”

Beimers goes on to note “AJ & Erin are the first people to help out anyone in need. Whether it be a meal, a place to stay, or a shoulder to cry on, they are there.

“They are contributing members to our community, most notably during the COVID pandemic, starting up a project of offering home cooked meals to people in need during those tough times.

“Feed Me Love provided meals to anyone in need including essential retail works, hospitality staff, farmers, and health care workers. In a matter of minutes, their whole lives changed. They are giving people, with hearts of gold, who need our community support now more than ever.”

Click here for the Go Fund Me campaign

Feed Me Love fills hearts and stomachs of COVID-19 local heros