Donations for Coquitlam fire victims overflowing
Boxes of clothes, shoes, toys and food need to be moved to new location
A Coquitlam, B.C., realtor has given space in a building on Barnett Highway to house all the donations that continue to pile up for victims of a fire at their condo complex on Glen Drive.
100 people are still out of their homes after the fire, which began at 4 p.m. PT on Feb. 16. It's still not known when residents will be able to return.
"What I wore to work that day is what I have and I went to the gym so I have runners and shorts, and travel toiletries," said resident Anita Vigar.
30,000 pounds of goods such as clothes, shoes, food, diapers and toys have been donated so far.
"[This is] hard for me, I'm usually the one giving away bags of clothes ... it's hard to be on the receiving end and strangers are handing me cards with money, just so amazing," Vigar said.
Dennis Marsden is a volunteer with Coquitlam Fire Victims.
"Just the sheer magnitude of this is incredible, 72 units, more than 100 people out of their homes, and as we heard for various lengths of time, it's the uncertainty ... so people are stepping up."
Not all of the renters in the complex had insurance.
Now Marsden says volunteers are trying to match donations to the exact needs of each resident.
Cash is also needed to help people with damage deposits and incidental expenses.
Donations can be made through Eagle Ridge Church or at any Coast Capital Savings under the name "Coquitlam Fire Victims."