Fire that left Syrian family homeless started with blanket near baseboard heater
Family will stay in a temporary reception house for refugees until they can find a new one
A fire that left a family of Syrian newcomers without a home on Saturday was caused by blankets falling too close to an electric baseboard heater, the Fredericton fire department says.
Assistant Deputy Chief David McKinley confirmed Tuesday that the cause of the fire was accidental.
A blanket likely made contact with heat diffusers inside the heater and caught fire.
"In order for something to catch on fire, something has to be able to get inside where the heat diffusers are in the front of it, and that must have happened and that happens occasionally when stuff is too close to it," he said.
Nafee Hassan, his wife, Midiya Bda, and their six children got out of the north side house safely.
Lisa Bamford De Gante, executive director of the Multicultural Association of Fredericton, said the family is coming to grips with the loss.
"It's a bit of a jolt," she said. "They are very grateful."
Donations started pouring in after the fire, said Bamford De Gante.
Clothing donations have been problematic, however, because things don't necessarily fit. She suggested donations of money would be more helpful.
"As much as they need clothing, they are difficult to manage," she said.
The family settled in Fredericton last May and is now staying in the association's temporary reception house for refugee families.
"They will stay there until they find a new home," Bamford De Gante said.
The three schools the children attend — Barkers Point, Devon Middle School and Leo Hayes High School — all plan to hold separate fundraisers for the kids, she said.
The kids returned to school Tuesday, and Nafee Hassan and his wife Midiya Bda plan to return to their English classes Wednesday.
Bamford De Gante said the next challenge will be finding the family of eight a new home. It can be difficult finding accommodation for larger families, she said.
