'He lost everything': Guelph fire victim faces long road to recovery
A Guelph man who lost everything in a house fire earlier this month is looking to recover in more ways than one.
Mark Edwards, 34, was inside his Brant Avenue home when it went up in flames.
“Well, my heart sank. I was shocked. I didn't even know what to think,” said Christine Vachon, Edwards’ sister, recalling the moment she found out. “My first thought was: ‘I hope he's alive.’”
A house fire on Brant Avenue in Guelph. (Terry Kelly/CTV Kitchener) (April 2, 2023)
Edwards was taken to Sunnybrook Hospital’s burn unit in Toronto. It’s where he’ll be for the next six to eight weeks due to the severity of his burns.
“The first time that I saw him, he was pretty unrecognizable because his face was very, very swollen,” said Vachon.
Edwards will require several surgeries over the coming weeks.
“So 30 per cent of his body is all burns. It's mainly third-degree burns all over his back, on his arms and on his head,” Vachon said.
Recovering from his physical injuries is only half the battle.
His house is considered a total loss, along with everything in it.
The aftermath of a house fire in Guelph in April 2023. (Chris Thomson/CTV News)
Vachon and her other brother, Nicholas Edwards, launched a fundraiser in hopes the community can help their brother piece his life back together.
“Clothes are probably the biggest thing right now because he lost everything,” said Vachon.
Edwards’ sister considers him a sports fanatic, so replacing memorabilia to help lift his spirits is top of mind too.
“He just loves hockey and is a huge Montreal Canadiens fan.”
There’s still no word on what caused the fire on Brant Avenue. The Guelph Police Service and Ontario Fire Marshal continue to investigate.
In the meantime, Vachon said her brother is staying positive.
“He's trying to crack a lot of jokes still. He just wants things to be normal.”
Anyone looking to get in touch with the family can do so through their GoFundMe page. Clothing items donated should be in a size XL.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Man responsible for New Year's truck attack previously visited New Orleans, Ontario, Egypt: FBI
The man responsible for the truck attack in New Orleans on New Year's Day that killed 14 people visited the city twice before and recorded video of the French Quarter with hands-free glasses, an FBI official said Sunday.
WATCH
WATCH Woman, 50, critically injured in explosive Ottawa crash caught on camera, police looking for witnesses
Dashcam footage sent to CTV News shows a vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed in the wrong direction before striking and damaging a hydro pole.
Maserati driver critically injures one, seriously injures another in Surrey hit-and-run: police
The driver of a Maserati fled the scene of a high-speed crash in Surrey that sent two people to hospital, one in critical condition on Saturday night, according to authorities.
Thousands are without power due to winter storm hitting Newfoundland and Labrador
More than 9,000 Newfoundland Power customers are in the dark on Sunday as the province faces a winter storm with snow, rain and strong winds.
Man injured in collision near North American International Motorcycle Supershow in Mississauga: paramedics
A man is in serious condition following a motorcycle accident at the North American International Motorcycle Supershow, according to paramedics.
Here’s why you should monitor your blood pressure, keep it in check
An Ottawa pharmacist says blood pressure is a good indicator of overall health, noting the importance of keeping it at healthy rates.
Young driver clocked at nearly 100 km/hr over speed limit
A 21-year-old male driver was stopped by an OPP officer for travelling more than twice the speed limit in a community safety zone in Caledon.
Heaviest snowfall in a decade possible in some areas as winter storm threatens U.S.
A blast of snow, ice, wind and plunging temperatures stirred up dangerous travel conditions in parts of the central U.S. on Sunday, as a disruptive winter storm brought the possibility of the 'heaviest snowfall in a decade' to some areas.
'It keeps you up at night': Effects of postal strike linger into 2025, business owners say
The Canada Post strike ended last month, but the disruption continues to harm businesses at the start of the new year.
London
-
Homicide investigation underway in Durham
The West Grey Police Service is investigating a stabbing that took place in Durham.
-
Two Eldon House rooms closed to the public
Eldon House has closed two of the display rooms at the heritage site for January.
-
Collision partially closes Clarke Road and Trafalgar Street intersection
The London Fire Department is reporting a collision at the intersection of Clarke Road and Trafalgar Street.
Windsor
-
Two armed robbery suspects at large, second arrested
The Windsor Police Service has arrested a second of four armed robbery suspects. Two remain at large.
-
Windsor Lancers take on China in exhibition hockey matchup
The University of Windsor Lancers men’s hockey team and the Chinese National Team hit the ice Saturday night in an unusual matchup.
-
Driver facing impaired driving charges
The Windsor police has pressed charges against a man in an impaired driving investigation.
Barrie
-
Snowmobiler seriously injured in Saturday crash
A snowmobiler reportedly suffered serious injuries after losing control on a trail in Tay Township Saturday afternoon.
-
Truck driver charged in Saturday Highway 11 crash
A truck driver was charged after crashing his tractor trailer on Highway 11 south of Orillia Saturday evening, which led to the temporary closure of all southbound lanes for several kilometres.
-
Young driver clocked at nearly 100 km/hr over speed limit
A 21-year-old male driver was stopped by an OPP officer for travelling more than twice the speed limit in a community safety zone in Caledon.
Northern Ontario
-
Suspect charged in northern Ont. road rage incident that went viral
A 37-year-old suspect has been charged in connection with a road rage incident last week in Temiskaming Shores.
-
Mark Carney reaches out to dozens of Liberal MPs ahead of potential leadership campaign
Mark Carney, the former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor, is actively considering running in a potential Liberal party leadership race should Justin Trudeau resign, sources tell CTV News.
-
MNR renews call for help with investigation of abandoned cow moose killed in northern Ont.
Conservation officers with the Ministry of Nature Resources are again asking for the public’s help with identifying those responsible for killing a cow moose near Chapleau, Ont.
Sault Ste. Marie
-
Northwestern Ont. police seek help with historic robbery investigation
The Kenora Ontario Provincial Police detachment is requesting the public's assistance in identifying a suspect in a previously reported robbery.
-
Sault woman charged with assault, criminal harassment
A Sault Ste. Marie woman was arrested Friday following an earlier morning disturbance.
-
Alleged drunk damages property in northern Ontario: OPP
An intoxicated man from northern Ontario has been charged with damaging property.
Ottawa
-
WATCHWATCH Woman, 50, critically injured in explosive Ottawa crash caught on camera, police looking for witnesses
Dashcam footage sent to CTV News shows a vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed in the wrong direction before striking and damaging a hydro pole.
-
Here’s why you should monitor your blood pressure, keep it in check
An Ottawa pharmacist says blood pressure is a good indicator of overall health, noting the importance of keeping it at healthy rates.
-
Here's how you can watch CTV News at Six on Sundays during the NFL season
With CTV broadcasting NFL football games on Sundays this season, CTV News at Six will be broadcasting live on our website and the CTV News App.
Toronto
-
Fire near Toronto Pearson not impacting operations: airport
A two-alarm fire near Toronto Pearson International Airport is not impacting the airport's operations.
-
Man injured in collision near North American International Motorcycle Supershow in Mississauga: paramedics
A man is in serious condition following a motorcycle accident at the North American International Motorcycle Supershow, according to paramedics.
-
Man responsible for New Year's truck attack previously visited New Orleans, Ontario, Egypt: FBI
The man responsible for the truck attack in New Orleans on New Year's Day that killed 14 people visited the city twice before and recorded video of the French Quarter with hands-free glasses, an FBI official said Sunday.
Montreal
-
A year after his son overdosed, a Montreal father feels more prevention work is needed
New data shows opioid-related deaths and hospitalizations are down in Canada, but provincial data paints a different picture. In Quebec, drug related deaths jumped 30 per cent in the first half of 2024, according to the public health institute (INSPQ).
-
These Quebec border crossings will have new hours of operation tomorrow
The hours of operation at 10 Quebec border crossings will change as of 12:01 a.m. on Jan. 6, 2025.
-
Montreal arson squad investigating second fire in building that was set ablaze under a year ago
The Montreal police’s (SPVM) arson squad is investigating after a vacant commercial space was fire bombed on Saturday night. The same building was set on fire in May.
Atlantic
-
Second aircraft emergency in a week at Halifax Stanfield International Airport
An aircraft inbound for Halifax reported cabin pressure issues and triggered an emergency response.
-
Shots fired in Cole Habour, N.S.
RCMP is investigating after shots were fired in the area of Amaranth Crescent in Cole Harbour, N.S.
-
Tax holiday continues after Christmas, gets mixed reviews from Maritimers
A GST/HST break was introduced on Dec. 14 to ease costs for Canadians heading into the expensive holiday season but Maritimers still have mixed opinions on the policy.
Winnipeg
-
Winnipeg firefighters battle 3 block heater blazes in 12 hours
On Saturday, Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service crews fought three different fires in less than 12 hours, all believed to be accidentally caused by a block heater.
-
Manitoba's top baby names for 2024
Manitoba’s top baby names remained mostly unchanged for 2024, though some new contenders made their way into the top 10.
-
Proposed Winnipeg Costco could be growing in size
The footprint for the new Costco planned in Winnipeg could be growing.
Calgary
-
Family of hospitalized Lethbridge man in Thailand reach out for support
The family of a Lethbridge man is reaching out to the public for help after he suffered a series of medical emergencies while travelling in Thailand.
-
In celebratory showcase of Alberta's best high school football players, North dominates South 31-10
Sunday was the final time a lot of Alberta students got to wear their high school football helmets.
-
Community grieves as one at vigil for Calgary double homicide victims
They braved the cold to pay tribute to a Calgary mother of three and her father, killed just days after Christmas.
Edmonton
-
Oilers pounce on Kraken early en route to 4-2 win
Vasily Podkolzin and Jeff Skinner scored in the first 5 1/2 minutes and the Edmonton Oilers beat the Seattle Kraken 4-2 on Saturday night for their third straight victory.
-
'Flames were shooting higher than the garage': Block heater cords cause 2 fires in 2 days in Edmonton
Peter Claffey was shocked Thursday morning to find his truck in flames outside his southwest Edmonton home.
-
Russia 'getting what it deserves,' Ukraine says, after launching counterattack in border region
Ukraine has launched a counterattack in the southern Russian border region of Kursk, warning that Russia is 'getting what it deserves.'
Regina
-
Regina Fire investigating Toronto Street blaze
Regina Fire and Protective Services (RFPS) are investigating following a blaze on Toronto Street Saturday.
-
Family of man shot by Hamilton police hold vigil and rally in Regina
The family and community of a man shot by police in Hamilton in November continue to seek answers surrounding the circumstances of his death.
-
Regina woman turns to social media to find donor match for kidney transplant
A Regina woman currently waiting for a kidney transplant is now seeking a donor through a social media post.
Saskatoon
-
$20k of equipment stolen from rural Sask. Fire hall. And it's not the only one
Rural firehalls surrounding Saskatoon are having to deal with escalating thefts that could put rescue efforts in jeopardy.
-
Two people charged with murder after suspicious death on Sask. First Nation
A man and a woman have been charged with first degree murder after a 24-year-old man died of injuries on Saulteaux First Nation.
-
Extreme cold warning remains in effect for parts of Saskatchewan
The frigid weather continues to grip Saskatoon and parts of Saskatchewan as the extreme cold warnings are in effect across the prairies.
Vancouver
-
No one home at site of 28th floor condo fire in Vancouver, officials say
Vancouver fire investigators are poring over a condominium in the Woodward's building in Gastown after firefighters found flames in the suite with no one inside.
-
Maserati driver critically injures one, seriously injures another in Surrey hit-and-run: police
The driver of a Maserati fled the scene of a high-speed crash in Surrey that sent two people to hospital, one in critical condition on Saturday night, according to authorities.
-
Body found in burned vehicle in Abbotsford park, police say
Homicide investigators have been called in to probe a suspicious death in Sumas Mountain Regional Park outside Abbotsford, police say.
Vancouver Island
-
Driver dead after collision with construction vehicle in Saanich, B.C.
A driver is dead after colliding with a construction vehicle in Saanich Friday night.
-
B.C. man ordered to pay damages for smashing Smart car window during road rage incident
A man who smashed the window of a woman’s Smart car during a road rage incident with a former co-worker has been ordered to pay $1,245 in damages by the B.C. Civil Resolution Tribunal.
-
WestJet denies compensation to Taylor Swift fan after flight cancellation
WestJet has denied compensation to a devout Taylor Swift fan whose cancelled flight triggered a 10-hour drive through the night from Prince George to make the singer's shows in Vancouver last month.
