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Family accepts help after losing everything in fire continued from p.1 "I hopped out and sprinted around the corner and saw the whole house engulfed in flames." Carandang, who works in childcare, said her thoughts immediately turned to her dog Kona, who was still inside. "I didn't want the kids anywhere near the house... They were saying, `Kona, Kona,'" she said. "That was the first thing they were crying about." Oakville firefighters entered the burning house and succeeded in rescuing the Labrador mix, who had fled to the basement to escape the smoke. While the family is grateful for the safety of their dog and that none of them were present at the time of the fire, they noted the damage to the residence was significant with the Oakville Fire Department estimating approximately $250,000 worth of fire and smoke damage. Oakville Deputy Fire Chief Brian Durdin said an investigation of the blaze points to a cigarette being placed in a flowerpot on the home's deck as the possible cause. Durdin is warning the community that potting soil can be extremely flammable. Carandang said firefighters were able to save a computer, which had family photos and other important information on it, but beyond that not much else is salvageable. The couple did not have contents insurance `Did that just happen?' It doesn't seem real." The couple said the community has been outstanding since the fire with family members who also have young children, providing the three girls with plenty of gently-used clothing. The two girls, who are in school, also received new uniforms from their school to replace those which were destroyed in the fire. Neighbours and friends have offered furniture and other household comforts. However, at the moment, the family has nowhere to put them. Johnson's brother-in-law Craig Redick set up a crowdfunding campaign (www.gofundme. com/adamlisa) following the fire, which seeks to raise enough money for the family to afford to set up a new home. Since its creation on Sunday, it has already raised $3,000. "Everyone has been showing so much support," said Carandang. "It's amazing. These are people who don't even know us. The police officers, the firefighters, everyone did such great work and we are so grateful." Both Johnson and Carandang said they are private people who resisted going public with their problems. However, they want their daughters to return to some form of stability as quickly as possible. For more information, visit www.facebook. com/helpthemrebuild. 3 | Thursday, June 4, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Oakville firefighters work at the scene of a house fire on Samford Place Saturday. Firefighters rescued a dog, but the residents were out grocery shopping at the time. The family of five and their dog are now without a place to live. | photo by Eric Riehl ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or facebook.com/HaltonPhotog) and is now in a financial bind. The family has been staying in a hotel, courtesy of the Canadian Red Cross, Halton, since the blaze, but the arrangement is only temporary. Johnson and Carandang said their limited resources are drying up and where they will go from here is not entirely clear. "I'm still processing the last few days," said Carandang, choking back tears, during an interview with the Oakville Beaver. "We woke up the next morning and said, n O o p w en Great Family DininG For over 40 years! 146 Lakeshore Rd.W. · 905.338.6333 Monday to Sunday : From 7:00 am to 3:00 pm Visit our new location today! 2420 Lakeshore rd., W. unit 1112, Oakville Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner 905-827-4851 Mon. - Sat. 8am - 9pm Sun. 8am - 3pm Complimentary Consultation LASIK & EYE SURGERY 905 845 EYES (3937) Oakville, ON WWW.SEEBYIV.COM