Friends are rallying to support a Minden family whose home was destroyed in a fire Aug. 5.
Minden and Dysart firefighters responded to the home of Sharon and Rob Luke at Tilley Trail. They were unable to save the home, which was fully engulfed in the fire.
The cause of the fire remains unknown.
Family friend Jesse Lynn West has started a GoFundMe to help the family. Minden Home Hardware, where Rob Luke works, is also collecting donations for the family, West said.
“They both strive for the community and constantly volunteer where they can,” West said. “They just do so much for anyone in need. It’s our turn to help them.”
Minden Hills fire chief Mike Bekking said the homeowner was on the property at the time. He said paramedics took one person to hospital due to minor smoke inhalation More than 20 firefighters responded to the call, which began around 3:30 p.m.
“The structure was fully involved,” Bekking said. “The guys isolated the fire, contained it to the structure and we stopped it from spreading to a grass fire or a forest fire.”
There was no saving the home, Bekking said, but firefighters were successful in containment. The Algonquin Highlands fire department also helped by covering another call at the time.
“The teamwork between the different fire departments was outstanding as usual,” Bekking said. “Our guys did as much as they could.”
Firefighters were on scene for several hours to manage hotspots and investigate. Before the probe, Bekking said the fire seems to have started from the garage. He further said it is unlikely the cause will be found.
“Just because of the total loss,” Bekking said. “This is the hardest part of the fire.”
Anyone who would like to donate to the family GoFundMe can do so at gofundme. com/f/robandsharonluke.
“They have done so much for their community and friends,” West said. “It’s time for us to give back and help them rebuild what they lost.”
