Victoria family thankful for donations following devastating fire

A Victoria family that lost everything in a townhouse fire last month is saying thank you. The Modestes and their five children are back on their feet thanks to donations from the community.

The family rushed to get out of their townhouseat the Evergreen Terrace complexwhen a fire started in the unit next door in the early hours of Nov. 18.

They were only able to grab the family dog, Bella, and the keys to their car.But just a few weeks later, donations have helped thefamilyreplace most essential items everything from clothes to beds.

• Townhouse fire in Victoria displaces 10 families

"From the bottom of all of my family'shearts, that's just amazing how the community comes together like this," said Marcus Modeste.

Groups in Victoria, such as the Quadra CommuntyCentre and the Mustard Seed Street Church, mobilized quickly to gather donations for the nearly half a dozen familiesdisplaced by the fire at thelarge social housing complex.

Donations from near and far

But Modeste, who is from Chemainus, B.C., says Coast Salish communities on Vancouver Island also stepped up to help his family.

"In my language, the Coast Salish language, it's 'Huy ch q'u'.That's thank you, andthe proper way to do it is we raise our hands and thank everybody," he said.

Ten families were initially forced out of their homes by the fire, but half were able to return. B.C. Housing managed to find alternativeunits for everyone whowas displaced bythe fire.

The Modestesmoved into a three-bedroom townhouse, following a week-long stay in a hotel.

The searchcontinues for something bigger for the family of seven.

But for now, even though there are bunk beds in the living room,it's home, while the family works to move past the traumatic night of the fire, Modeste said.