Garson woman thanks community for help after home damaged by fire

A Garson woman said she is grateful for the community rallying around her after her home was significantly damaged in a house fire that took place two weeks ago.

On Jan. 29, Theresa Carroll woke up to the sound of a fire alarm and noticed smoke coming from her basement.

"I immediately went outside taking nothing with me," she said."I knew I had nothing to stay for. I had to get out."

The woman survived, but her house sustained more than $200,000 in damage. When members of the community found out she didn't have home insurance, they began banding together to help out.

I try to count my blessings right now instead of looking at the bad things that have happened to me.- Theresa Carroll, Garsonresident

A fund has been established in her name at the Northern Credit Union in Garsonand an online fundraiser has raised almost $3,000 as of Friday morning.

Family friend April Roy set up the GoFundMe campaign after hearing about the blaze and said she's simply returning the favour for years of kindness.

"She's been a second grandma to me since I was born and I'd like to help her since she's always helped everybody else out," Roy said.

Garson's legion is also helping raise funds for repairs with a dance scheduled for March 11, andGreater Sudbury Plumbing will donate five per cent of all sales on Sunday for Carroll.

Help 'means a lot'

Caroll told CBC News she's been overwhelmed by the displays of kindness she's received.

"I try to count my blessings right now instead of looking at the bad things that have happened to me," Carroll said.

"Always remember that the little things you do, like it's very insignificant to a person, but they mean a lot to me."

Now she has to find out if her home is structurally sound to rebuild. The property iscurrently boarded up and Carroll said she's living with her youngest daughter since having to leave her home.

And the mother has advice for others after going through this experience.

"Always, always make sure you keep batteries in your smoke alarm, even if it makes a noise when you're cooking. Make sure. You just wave it off and keep the batteries in your smoke alarm," she said.

"It's very, very important. It saved my life."