'I've lost everything': Homeowners lose everything, including pets, after rural N.B. home destroyed by fire
Two photo albums full of memories of her family. That's about all Lee Walker could salvage from the ruins of her home on Thursday.
Lee and Mike Walker's house in Shepody, N.B., was destroyed in a fire Wednesday afternoon.
"Our pictures when we got married," Lee said to Mike as she flips through one of the albums.
Not only is their home and all their belongings gone, so too are their pets.
Their dog Harry and cat Hope were both lost in the fire.
"If I only could find Harry," said Lee as she continued to sift through the wreckage.
The house, which the Walkers guess is over 200 years old, had to be demolished by an excavator because of hot spots that couldn't be put out.
Riverside-Albert Volunteer Fire Department Deputy Chief Daniel O'Hare said the building was fully engulfed when they arrived shortly after 3:30 p.m. Wednesday.
"It was so dry," said O'Hare. "It really wasn't anything we could put out quick. It took a lot of water."
Riverside-Albert Volunteer Fire Department Deputy Chief Daniel O'Hare said the building was fully engulfed when they arrived shortly after 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. (Courtesy: Lee Walker)
No one was injured in the fire.
Riverside-Albert received mutual aid from the Hillsborough and Alma fire departments.
Firefighters were on scene for close to six hours.
O'Hare said the cause of the fire is not yet known.
The couple has lost everything and now must start over, but it won't be easy because they don't have any insurance.
They were 40 minutes away in Riverview, N.B., at the time of the fire paying their property taxes.
"By the time we got back, there was basically nothing left," said Mike.
Mike said the pets are definitely their biggest loss.
"They're like kids as you get older," said Mike. "The funny thing is the little dog, he wanted to go with us yesterday."
Lee said both of her pets had a lot of personality.
"I lost everything. My babies I can't replace," said Lee. "Everything else, they're just material things."
The couple have spoken with their neighbours and friends and they appreciate their support.
"Albert County is a place you want to be. Everybody's friendly," said Lee. "We all help each other. We all pull together."
Michelle Walker, Mike and Lee's daughter, said they moved from Moncton, N.B., to Shepody 25 years ago when she was 15.
She found out from her daughter that her old home was on fire.
"I called my mom and she didn't answer. I called my dad. He said, 'I'm here, I'm just watching our house burn down,'" said Michelle.
Michelle's parents are staying with her sister for the time being. She said her mother works in home care with seniors in the Albert County area.
"She drives around and spends her days with the seniors in the community," said Michelle. "She said last night that she was going to go to work. She lost all of her scrubs in the fire. They didn't have anything. Just what was on their backs."
The Walkers are trying to figure out what they are going to do next.
They have a cottage in the Salisbury, N.B., area, but it isn't suitable for living in during the winter.
As for getting new pets, Lee isn't so sure about that right now.
"They're irreplaceable. They can't be replaced," said Lee. "You can't replace a life."
Michelle has started a GoFundMe page to help raise money for her parents. As of 3:30 p.m. Thursday, the fundraiser had raised just over $2,000.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
RCMP uncovers plot to sell drones and equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
BREAKING Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
'There was a lot of black smoke': Crane operator sounds alarm while trapped during highrise fire in Halifax
A tower crane operator alerted emergency crews after noticing a fire on a construction site in Halifax Tuesday morning.
Cherry blossoms blooming in Canada: Here's what to know
There is a swaying sea of colour in some cities across Canada, and it's a sure sign of spring: cherry blossoms are in bloom.
Murder charges filed against U.S. woman who crashed into building hosting birthday party, killing 2 kids
A Michigan woman was charged Tuesday with second-degree murder and other crimes after prosecutors say she drunkenly smashed her SUV into a boat club that was hosting a birthday party, killing two young siblings and injuring several other people.