The Norfolk County community rallied around Natalee Harling and her family just hours after their home was destroyed by fire,
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Their two-storey brick house that sits on Concession 11 Townsendjust behind Baskpac Products Inc. on Old Hwy 24 went up in flames Wednesday afternoon.
Harling’s sister woke to the smell of burning gas just before 5 pm and contacted emergency services. She and another person on-site at the time quickly rushed to get themselves and the family’s three dogs to safety.
Flames soon burst through the roof and the place the family had rented for a decade was destroyed, according to the Norfolk County Fire Department. The damage estimate is $500,000. While undetermined, the cause of the fire is not considered suspicious.
The structure itself was insured, but the Harling’s belongings were not.
“There’s a lot of confusion, a lot of sadness,” said Harling, who raced home from work to see the home in flames. “Everything is gone, all our memories, my parents’ wedding photos. It’s hard to process all that we lost, but in a sense, it’s the best, worst-case scenario that could’ve happened because everyone is OK and it was just materialistic things.
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“We literally just have the clothes on our back and people have donated some stuff we’re going through right now to see if it fits,” she added. “We aren’t allowed back in because it’s so bad, the roof is caved in and is about to collapse.”
Since word of the fire spread, the Harlings have been inundated with messages from folks wishing to help.
The family has received a bunch of clothing and basics like towels, soap etc, and an online GoFundMe campaign aimed at raising $10K had already accumulated $8,565 just 24 hours following the blaze.
“I can’t really collect my feelings,” Harling said. “There’s so many people messaging and offering kindness. There are so many people that care about things like this and can offer as much support as they can even if they’re maybe going through a tough time themselves.”
The four people currently living at the home will stay with a relative in Delhi while the damage is assessed. Until then, they’re leaning on the community support they’ve received just days before the Christmas holidays.
“It’s overwhelming to see the community come together so quickly and so strongly,” Harling said. “There are anonymous donors that have given $200 and it’s like, ‘wow, thank you’. Christmas is (six) days away and they’re offering so much.”
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