Michael Ardron and his wife are holding their seven children close after a losing everything they own in a house fire near Onoway on Monday afternoon.
Emergency crews were called to the acreage property near Range Road 12 south of Highway 633 after neighbours noticed the fire.
“Our crews received a call at approximately 5 p.m. to a house on fire so we responded with crews from Parkland County and Lac Ste. Anne,” said Dep. Chief Trevor Sutherley with Parkland County Fire Services.
Upon arriving on scene, crews found the home fully engulfed in flames.
Officials say it took 30 firefighters about five hours to put out the fire.
No one was at home at the time of the blaze; however a family pet died in the fire.
“It’s sad, you know. This was part of my life’s work. This was a house we saved for, penny pinched, we designed, and built. It’s a labour of love [and] it’s gone,” said Michael.
The family does have home insurance, but the community is still rallying around them in their time of need. People are providing clothing and starting fundraisers online.
Michael said the giving nature and graciousness of the people in his community was heart wrenching to see.
“I had the clothes on my back, that’s it,” said Michael, “I had one of our church people come out and bring me new boots that fit me perfectly. I’m wearing jeans this morning that someone gave me.”
The cause of the fire is still unknown. Crews will spend the next few days sifting through the rubble to try and determine what started the fire.
With files from Ashley Molnar
