An 80-year-old home in Middlebro, Manitoba burned to the ground on New Year's Eve.

Edwin Blackburde says his grandfather built the home and he and his girlfriend, Eliza, were excited to start renovating the home. Blackburde adds they were in Winnipeg shopping that Saturday looking at flooring and ideas on how to convert the second bedroom into a nursery for their second child, expected in April.

The Blackburde's home New Year's Day. (Photo credit: Edwin Blackburde)"My dad told me he was just running to  Warroad, he lives in Middlebro too, just down the road. He smelt a weird smell, he said, so he went for a drive and noticed the smoke was coming from our house."

Blackburde says they saw the full extent of the damage when they drove home later and saw it had been burned to the ground. He notes they were in complete shock.

Since New Year's Eve he says they have been staying with Eliza's step-dad in Vassar and are looking towards what the next step is to rebuild.

"Come spring time we're going to do clean up, maybe put a trailer on that yard."

Blackburde notes the community has been a huge support through financial donations, clothing, food, baby items, and more. He adds a friend also set up a GoFundMe page.

"We're just trying to look forward really. We're just feeling as confident as we can."