Longtime family home destroyed in Marshfield fire
1 man still in hospital, 3 other family members treated, released
A 150-year-old farmhouse in Marshfield, P.E.I., burned to the ground Friday, leaving the family that has lived there for generations shocked.
However, they say they are thankful everyone escaped without serious injuries and for the support of their community and first responders.
Addie MacCullum drove from his home in Bible Hill, N.S., after receiving a call from his brother, Stephen, that their childhood home was on fire.
Their parents, as well as Stephen's son, 12-year-old son Declan, escaped the fire and were taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown. All were treated and released except for their 74-year-old father, who remained in hospital Saturday with non-life-threatening injuries.
"It's shock, a lot of different emotions," Addie MacCallum said on Saturday.
"It's overshadowed at least by the fact that our family is all out alive. The property and everything could be replaced and the house can be rebuilt. But to know that mom and dad and Stephen and Declan made it out OK is a godsend and our family's really fortunate for that to happen."
Pets missing
Two cats and a pet rabbit are missing.
First responders were called to the scene, just on the outskirts of Charlottetown near Route 2, at about 4 p.m., said RCMP Cpl. Gavin Moore.
"On arrival the residence was fully engulfed," he said.
The North Shore Fire Department responded with mutual aid from Charlottetown Station 2.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, Moore said.
MacCallum's father had lived in the house his whole life. His wife and daughter lived there with him. Stephen and Declan came to visit Friday night for the holidays.
Ever since we were kids, our first memories are in that house.— Addie MacCallum
MacCallum and his siblings grew up in the two-storey home, which still operated as a farm. A barn with two horses inside was unharmed.
"Ever since we were kids, our first memories are in that house," MacCallum said. "Growing up, it had a stone foundation and then had it raised and concrete foundation and now that's all that's left. The entire house is completely gone and everything that we knew growing up is gone with it."
MacCallum thanked the Red Cross and first responders for their assistance. He said the family is also grateful to neighbours who pitched in.
"Marshfield, like anywhere on the Island, is a small community. And people noticed right away that something was wrong and they were coming up to the house and helped comfort my mom and dad and helped get them some first aid."