A Waterloo family of four is now homeless for the holidays after fire and smoke tore through their residence on Star Flower Avenue. Scott Yoo, a family member, said he was home when the fire started shortly before 10 am.
“My dad started screaming hysterically, he was screaming for my mom,” Scott Yoo told CTV News. “I heard that, woke up and ran downstairs, looked to my right and there is a freaking fire in the garage.”
Yoo said his family tried to put out the blaze themselves but nothing was working. Soon after, neighbours called 911.
“It was just so bizarre,” said neighbour Kasia Malecki. “The fear that someone was in there, that someone might had been hurt.”
Yoo said his mother went to the hospital to be treated for second degree burns on her hands but is recovering well.
Damage is estimated at $200,000 and investigators are now trying to pinpoint the cause of the fire.
“We suspect that the fire started in a car that was parked in the garage,” said Platoon Chief Ken Lumgair. “I don’t think this is suspicious at all,” he added.
Officials say most of the fire was contained to the garage. However, there is extensive damage to the home, and the family will have to find a new place to spend the holidays.
The Red Cross is now helping the Yoo family find a place to stay. Neighours also say they are talking about starting a small collection to help the family with their loss.
