Woman still 'scared' after Vita fire destroyed her home - Action News
Home WebMail Thursday, November 14, 2024, 03:13 AM | Calgary | 6.3°C | Regions Advertise Login | Our platform is in maintenance mode. Some URLs may not be available. |
Manitoba

Woman still 'scared' after Vita fire destroyed her home

One year ago today Sandra Andressen's home was destroyed when fire swept through the town of Vita, southeast of Winnipeg. It's an aniversary she would rather forget

Vita family rebuilds home 1 year after wildfire

11 years ago
Duration 2:02
Sandra Andressen's family was one of four that lost their homes when grass fires swept through the Manitoba town of Vita one year ago, in October 2012.

It's an anniversary Sandra Andressen would rather forget.

One year agoWednesday,her home was destroyed when fire swept through the town of Vita, southeast of Winnipeg.It was one of four homes levelled in the out-of-control grass fire.

Andressendidn't know there was fire in the area until it was in her yard. She saidin an instant, she lost everything.

Four homes, as well as several vehicles and other property, burned down during raging grass fires that went out of control in Vita in October 2012. (CBC)

Shehas rebuilt her home,but sheremainsrattled by anxiety.

"I'm scared. Like when I see smoke around, I'm totally scared," she said.

"Like in the country, you usually burn your own garbage but I won't do it because I'm afraid to catch on fire or something.I'm totally scared of fire now."

The fires also destroyed a bridge on Highway 201 that led to two vehicles crashing through the burnt-out span.

Raging fires to snow drifts

The fire was the first of twoextreme hits the community took.

By Oct. 5, the area was blanketed with 25 centimetres of snow. It helped to douse the fires,but left thousands of people in southern Manitoba, including Vita, without power.

Many communities declared states of emergency to deal with the sudden slap from winter.