Fundraiser started for couple who lost nearly everything in weekend house fire

A GoFundMe page has been started for a couple from the St. Malo area who lost nearly everything in a weekend house fire.

Shauntel Dueck initiated the fundraiser for her father and stepmother, Lawrence and Kathy Friesen. Dueck explains that the two of them were out driving Sunday afternoon, dropping off dishes and other items from a Christmas gathering the day before. They returned home to find their house on fire. Dueck says they called 911 but by the time the fire department arrived, the home was engulfed in flames. 

Dueck says the house, including a recent addition, is a total loss. She adds they were only able to save a few items from the home.

"They had a couple of pictures that they had on the wall, some things from their bedroom were okay," adds Dueck. "But other than that, everything is pretty much gone."

Dueck says there were no injuries and no pets inside the home. 

Lawrence and Kathy Friesen

According to Dueck, the cause of the fire remains under investigation. She is not sure what the damage estimate is from the loss. However, Dueck says that her parents have insurance. 

The Friesens are now temporarily living in the basement suite of their children. Dueck and her husband had been looking to rent out the suite, but because it was still empty, it became available for her parents. Dueck says they will live there until they can build a new house. 

"They are doing much better than I thought they would," says Dueck. "There is such an overwhelm of support that they have, that it just relieves them so much."

As mentioned, Dueck has started a GoFundMe page. In case it takes a bit of time to get insurance money, Dueck is hoping to raise enough so that her parents can buy some clothes and a few things for their basement suite. 

"So far it's been amazing," says Dueck. "There have been people giving them furniture and dishes and all kinds of stuff that they need. So, it's been great."

The goal is to raise $5,000 through the GoFundMe page. As of Tuesday afternoon, nearly $2,000 has already come in. 

Dueck says her family is extremely grateful for all the support during this difficult time, especially around the Christmas season. 

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