(Submitted Photo/Ryan Block)

By Jaryn Vecchio

House Fire

Melfort family loses home in fire, expected to take over a year to repair

Apr 5, 2022 | 5:00 PM

A Melfort family will most likely have to rebuild their home from scratch after it was damaged by a fire.

On March 27^th, Ryan Block returned home after visiting his parents to find he couldn’t see any light coming from his windows. He quickly realized they were being covered up by smoke.

After checking different windows, he couldn’t find any flames.

“I opened the door just briefly and a whole whack of smoke came out.”

Melfort Fire Department responding to house fire. (Submitted Photo/Ryan Block)

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Block called Melfort’s fire department, a group he had previously volunteered for around 10 years, who put out the fire, which ended up starting in the basement.

Despite it being contained to one area, the damage was still done.

“The rest of the house is just absolutely covered with black, black soot.”

The exact cause is still not known with theories pointing to faulty electrical to a possible lit candle. What the fire department does know is that virtually nothing was salvageable.

TV projector and couch destroyed in fire. (Submitted Photo/ Ryan Block)

Block said he’s not too concerned about losing certain items, however, everyone who loses a home in a fire realizes soon after there were things to them that are priceless.

“You have things in there from your kids, like father’s day cards and birthday cards. That stuff isn’t replaceable.”

In the end, no one was hurt and that’s what matters most to him.

Block lives with his 13-year-old daughter Karly. His two other daughters are currently at university.

He noted Karly has handled the situation well, though she’s disappointed she lost a blanket her sister crocheted for her and a bluetooth speaker she recently bought with birthday money.

Meanwhile, Block added they’re fully insured for the damage.

Their insurance company has them staying in a hotel while they try and find them a rental.

In just over a week, the two have received many donations from community members.

“We’ve had people donating food, pre-made meals, and stuff while we’re at the hotel, things we can just throw in the microwave and heat up.”

An online fundraiser has also been started.

Block believes it will be at least a year until they can return home.

—

Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow