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By Narayan Mitra
‘BUILDING homes, building hope,’ has long been the motto of Habitat for Humanity (HFH).
But when a home they were building went up in flames May 11, that hope was
shaken.
Construction of a duplex by Habitat in Kamloops suffered a severe jolt when the
structure, ready for roofing, was razed to the foundation by a suspicious fire.
Ziggy Morash, fundraiser and public relations person at HFH, received a call
around 1.30 am about the disaster.
When she arrived in the morning, the construction site resembled a battlefield.
“Our second project was being developed for two low-income families, and had the
full support of the community and surrounding neighbours,” she told BCCN several days after the fire, adding:
“Construction labour was also being donated by the trade students of Thompson
Rivers University (TRU), as a part of their practicum and supervised by their
instructor. They were ready to raise the roof the following week.”
Along with the loss of the structure and stored materials, damage is estimated
around $50,000.
A home next door to the site had its bedroom window shattered by the heat, and
suffered extensive fire and water damage. Neighbours Gordon Muir and Brenda
Prevost told the Kamloops Daily News of their timely escape.
Heat and the loud popping of flames woke them up. The window exploded moments
later, said Muir.
With insurance confirmation completed, Morash expected HFH would be able to
start the process of rebuilding by the end of May.
She said she was also hopeful that TRU students would be able to get a major
share of the work done by July before they finish their courses and leave.
A bulldozer was back on the premises at press time, to knock off what was left
standing of the burnt shell, and to clean up the site in preparation for
rebuilding.
A fire on the same property, when it belonged to a former owner, increased the
suspicion that arson might be the cause of this fire. HFH had the property
fenced off while constructing, as a means of limiting off-hour access.
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Ex-RCMP officer and site manager, Ralph Carriere, is a board member of Kamloops
HFH.
“The origin of the fire is definitely of a suspicious nature,” he said, adding: “The fire investigator and insurance company have gathered their own evidences,
and are following up leads.
“We are making our way because of good community partnership. In time of a
tragedy like this, they are all coming together in a spirit of fabulous caring.
The donors have once again assured us of their commitments.”
In addition to businesses, the 20-plus sponsors include the City of Kamloops,
TRU and the Kamloops Indian Band.
By press time, RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Scott Wilson had reported there was no
major breakthrough in the investigation. The major crime unit was still working
on it, he said.
Samples from the crime scene have been sent to the RCMP forensic laboratory.
Meanwhile, Morash and the board are assuming the attack was not aimed at HFH.
“When we broke ground, people came and applauded the humanitarian endeavour,” she said. “Neighbours welcomed us to their block. I just hope the person responsible will
be caught and tried.”
Habitat welcomes support to rebuild, in cash or other donations. The local
office can be reached at 250.314.6783 or by going to habitatkamloops.com.
June 2009
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