‘We lost everything’
St. John's family who lost home in fire last week still dealing with toll
Last Friday, April 26, Khalid Yahya said, he was visiting a friend at the Health Sciences Centre when his wife left him an alarming voicemail.
"She called me at 11:15 p.m. and said a fire had started in the house," said Yahya.
After listening to the voicemail, he added, he tried to call her back, but got no answer.
Yahya said he wrapped up the visit, went to his car, and drove to his home on Pennywell Road.
'WERE THEY OK?'
His biggest concern was if his family was OK.
"I tried to drive quickly to give them help," said Yahya.
His wife, Khadiga, and five children were inside the house when the fire broke out.
He said his wife managed to evacuate the children from different rooms in about six or seven minutes, though he didn't know until he arrived.
The drive from the hospital to his house took about five minutes, he said, but upon his arrival he was greeted by flames, smoke and firefighters.
'WE LOST EVERYTHING'
"There was smoke everywhere, from the front door, the side door. There were flames everywhere, too. They took the house quickly," said Yahya.
Once he arrived, Yahya said, he started running around trying to ensure everyone was safe. After getting around blockades, he was relieved to find his family waiting outside.
However, as the flames that engulfed his home were put out, reality set in for Yahya and his family.
"Not only did we lose our home, but we lost all of our belongings," he said.
"I had stuff in that home that was 20 years old, things that were for me and my family. We have a lot of stuff inside and we didn't get anything. We lost everything.”
The fire was electrical and was due to faulty light cords in Yahya's bedroom. Even though they lost everything, he is trying to remain positive, he added.
But six days after the fire, Yahya said, there are emotional and practical challenges his family is facing.
Yahya and his family have been staying in a hotel since the incident and as a family of seven, that's not a lot of space.
"We are grateful, but seven people and two beds have been hard," he said.
HELPING HIS KIDS UNDERSTAND
Another challenge is trying to explain to his children why they are there, and that the uncertainty won't last forever.
“I try to talk to them and explain to them that something has happened, but it wasn’t caused by anyone and in life there’s problems,” said Yahya.
“Because we are at a hotel, they cry in the night. It isn’t easy for them, either.”
But Yahya said he is struggling internally, too.
REMAINING STRONG
“I may tell you I am doing good, but that isn’t correct,” he said.
“I have to remain strong because I have a wife and kids. They need someone who’s there and who can tell them it will be OK. That is my role.”
Yahya said the easiest way for him to assure his family that their future will be good is by remaining strong. And the future is looking promising, he added — as of Wednesday, May 1, Yahya and his family are moving into a temporary living arrangement.
He said he is unsure of the housing type or address, but he is happy to be moving toward stability again.
“The new place has been arranged by the Association for New Canadians. We are not sure how long we are staying, but we will know once we get there.”
SUPPORT FROM WORK
But before he was aware of the new arrangement, there was still uncertainty, so much so that Yahya had to take time off work.
After arriving in the province in 2021, Yahya went through a program called Build Your Future Construction Trades Training Program organized by the Association for New Canadians and the Newfoundland Construction Association. The program was taught by John Sheppard, who is also a project manager at Allied Construction.
When Yahya made it through the program, Sheppard said, he had a chance to hire him and he has worked at Allied Construction ever since.
Sheppard added that Yahya has made quite the impression on the team, and the moment they heard the news about the fire, they had to do something.
STARTING GOFUNDME
“After we started looking for housing and clothing, I thought to myself, the best thing for them right now is cash to be able to provide and we donated $2,000 to his family,” said Sheppard.
“Then I decided to do a Gofundme for his family and it kind of took off.”
So far, the Gofundme has raised $14,825 of $20,000, in support of Yahya. Sheppard said subcontractors, teachers of Yahya’s children and KMK Capital donated.
“It’s the way Newfoundlanders are. When they hear of someone in need, they are going to help out and it’s so great to see that,” said Sheppard.
‘I AM SO HAPPY’
Yahya said that while he knew his co-workers were there for him when he was told about the Gofundme, he said he couldn’t believe the support.
“I am so happy,” said Yahya.
“All they wanted to do was try and help me and I am so happy for their support. I am also so thankful for everyone else who helped. It isn’t something I expected.”
When it comes to how he plans to use the money, Yahya said, it won’t be for new belongings or a house. He added that those are things he will work to regain, and rebuild.
BENEFITING HIS CHILDREN
The money raised is directly going to benefit his children, he said.
“Everything my kids need, they are going to get from that money,” said Yahya.
“This is all being saved and used to benefit my family, clothes and food, anything they need is what it will be used for.”