No fire insurance, everything lost

Joanne and Tim Brander have only known Mark and Debby Campbell a year or so.

But when the Campbell’s Bonfield home burned down Friday, Oct. 3, the Branders acted as if all four had been lifelong friends.

They’ve started a drive to collect furniture, clothes and other household goods for the Campbells, who did not have any fire insurance.

“We said to one another if we were in the same position, we would hope someone would do the same for us,” Tim said.

Son in the house when fire broke out

Joanne said she first found out what happened while watching the six o’clock news.

“This report came on about a house fire and I looked and said ‘Oh, my God, that’s Cory’s house,’” Brander said, referring to the Campbell’s son.

Cory, 22, was in the house when the fire broke out, Brander said, and suffered burns to his arms, back and ear. He’s recovering at the North Bay General Hospital and is in stable condition.

The Branders decided they had to do something to help.

Benefit show being held

Tim went to the local media with the story, and soon after the phone started ringing, said Joanne, as she stood among donated items in the recreation room of her Rosedale Court home.

As well, Tim said, a benefit show featuring seven bands will be held for the Campbells, Halloween night at the Lakeview Beach Bar.

The Campbells, who had already paid off their house, have now cleared the lot and will start to rebuild with whatever money they have, Brander said.

In the interim, they’ll live in their trailer, which is now parked at their son’s home.

Anyone who wishes to donate household items can call the Branders at 494-9036.