A recent fire in a Wallaceburg storage facility has left some families devastated after losing the entire contents to flames and water damage.
According to the Chatham-Kent Police Service, a 28-unit storage facility, Wallaceburg Mini Storage on Gillard Street, suffered damage as a result of the fire, which still remains under investigation.
One family had the entire contents of their house, including personal items, memorabilia and family photos, destroyed in the fire. Muriel Sampson said she and her daughter, currently living with family, were planning on moving into Wallaceburg.
“We have been collecting items for years. My whole life, my whole house was in there,” Sampson said in a phone interview. “It was everything; a lot gifted from family members. Some are still here and some have passed.”
Sampson said her unit was packed to the roof with items such as appliances, furniture, out-of-season clothes and personal items.
“The fire came through the top so the top half is burned and the bottom half is water damaged,” Sampson noted. “This is a huge loss to us. There are a lot of things that just can’t be replaced.”
She said she is still picking through the debris, and has managed to find some photos that were partially burned that she is hoping to salvage. Many of the keepsakes from family are from people no longer with her and can’t be replaced.
Sampson said her daughter has set up a gofundme page to try and help them replace the appliances, furniture and clothes that were lost to the fire and they are waiting to hear how the fire started and if there will be any kind of compensation.
Anyone who may have clothes or furniture to donate can contact Sampson at 226-627-3171.
