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Fire victims have nothing - says RCMP officer

Langley RCMP have taken on helping three people left homeless from deadly four-plex fire last Thursday. Need is great.
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One person died and another was critically injured in a fire that broke out in a fourplex on Old Yale Road on Thursday evening.

The deadly fire in a four-plex last Thursday has left three people with "nothing more than the shirts on their backs," said a Langley RCMP officer who has been working with the displaced residents.

"They are now all out of hospital, but essentially they are homeless. They have nothing.

"These were low-income housing (units) so they didn't have a lot to begin with," said Langley RCMP Const. Tanya Engracio.

An elderly woman died in the fire. Her husband suffered injuries but now is a widower and has nothing, she said.

"He is very traumatized. They all are," said Engracio.

One tenant has made his own arrangements for accommodation and does not require help.

The officer has not been able to find any family the other two tenants, who are a father and son.

So far, all three men have found places to stay with friends, but that is temporary, she said. There are community services currently trying to find them more permanent housing.

That is why the Langley RCMP have chosen the three men as their adopted Christmas family. Donations are coming in from officers in the detachment.

The provincial government's disaster assistance program only provides for one night's accommodation and a clothing and food allowance for a couple days.

These three are all still in desperate need, said Engracio.

Anyone who would like to help the men out are asked to do so by donating gift cards. Grocery items and clothing stores would be much appreciated; money will also be needed.

Gift cards or cash donations may be dropped at the Langley Times office at 20258 Fraser Highway from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please explain at the front desk that the donation is meant for the fire victims.

Once housing is found, the men will need furniture. The police will let the community know when that has been established, for those who want to help out.



Monique Tamminga

About the Author: Monique Tamminga

Monique brings 20 years of award-winning journalism experience to the role of editor at the Penticton Western News. Of those years, 17 were spent working as a senior reporter and acting editor with the Langley Advance Times.
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