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13, Stouffville Sun-Tribune www.yorkregion.com Thursday, Feb. 6, 2014 N E I G H B O U R S R A L LY A R O U N D H O M E L E S S F A M I LY $200,000 damage in electrical fire BY SANDRA BOLAN sbolan@yrmg.com A fire that caused up to $200,000 damage to a home in northeast Stouffville Sunday was caused by an electrical issue. Jennifer Cooper, fire prevention/public education officer for the WhitchurchStouffville fire department, could not say whether the Pendutch Circle blaze was related to an ongoing renovation, an appliance or perhaps wiring in the home. A forensic engineer, hired by the homeowner's insurance company, is investigating. The amount of damage sustained to the second floor is more than originally thought and is closer to $150,000 or $200,000, she said. Ms Cooper said the home looks repairable, but the homeowners will be displaced for quite some time. Friends and relatives are rallying behind the family of four left temporarily homeless, according to neighbours speaking on social media. Plans were in the works to set up a bank account to assist the family. The fire started on the second floor of the home, just west of the Stouffville Country Market in the Tenth Line and Hemlock Drive area, around 3:45 p.m Sunday. Residents of the house were not home when the fire started. However, when they returned, they found smoke coming from the brick home's second storey, according to Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville Fire Chief Rob McKenzie. There were no injuries. Most of the damage occurred in the ceiling area above the garage, however, the entire home sustained major smoke damage and is uninhabitable, Mr. McKenzie said. Containing the fire became "awkward" for firefighters due to zero visibility caused by the smoke, coupled with the second floor being in the midst of a renovation. Firefighters had to maneuver around large objects and a new layout, according to Mr. McKenzie. When firefighters entered the home, they STAFF PHOTO/JIM MASON heard its smoke alarms, Mr. McKenzie said. ­ with files from Jim Mason Police and fire officials at the site of a house fire west of the Stouffville Country Market. Calling All Knitters! Can you help? YRAP (York Region Abuse Program) will be raising funds with Bravery Bears to provide therapy to children who have been affected by sexual abuse. If you would like to take part in our knitting challenge by donating knitted bears please call us for details.* *Yarn can be provided if needed for N Deadline omina b ded to Fe n e t x e s n tio ruary 13 ! good character Nominate someone deserving today! 8 th Wednesday, April 30, 2014 or call: 905 895 5155 ext. 134 Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts Nomination forms and additional information available at: www.charactercommunity.com Please call 905-853-8888 and ask for Laurie McDonald (ext. 261) or Arleen Hammond (ext. 218) at the Newmarket Era - Aurora Banner, community partners of YRAP. Character Community Foundation of York Region Registered charity #88722 1406 RR0001