Family of four forced from new home

A family of four who recently settled in Cape Egmont has been forced from their home after a fire Thursday afternoon.

Vicki and Philip Buechler and their two children moved to P.E.I. from Manitoba about six months ago.

All four were home Thursday when the fire broke out

Vicki said everything happened very quickly.

“It was really sudden, the kids got out with the animals. Me and my husband were dumb and started running water – we managed to get the actual fire out, but it had gotten into the walls and into the attic,” she said.

Firefighters from the Wellington Volunteer Fire Department arrived shortly thereafter and quickly extinguished the rest of the fire.

Desmond Arsenault, spokesman for the department, said the home sustained minimal fire and water damage, but there was extensive smoke damage throughout.

He said the fire has been ruled accidental in nature.

The family has no connections yet on the Island, but the Canadian Red Cross stepped in to provide temporary supplies and shelter until they can get their insurance company involved.

Disaster recovery contractors were already on site working on the home Friday, but the Buechler’s expect to be out of their home for some time.

Their two puppies also got away in the commotion and the family spent most of Friday morning looking for them. They were eventually located.

All things considered, the family is happy they are all OK and are thankful for the assistance of the fire department and the Red Cross.

“We’re doing OK, I think. We’re just hoping to get back in pretty quick,” said Vicki.