Friends, family and neighbours are rallying to a support a couple dislocated due to a fire.
B.J. Christensen and Gail Beeston’s home was badly damaged by a fire on Feb. 26, with many of their possessions destroyed.
Fortunately their neighbours, Stacy Duchscherer and Kim Duchscherer, were around to rescue Beeston from the burning mobile home. Christensen was not home at the time of the blaze.
A GoFundMe campaign has already raised more than $9,500 as of March 3.
Beeston spent part of a day in hospital after the fire and suffered from smoke inhalation and mild burns on her face.
“I almost died in that fire. If it hadn’t been for my neighbour coming and hauling me out, I would have died in there,” said Beeston, who is currently staying with a friend. “I am feeling very dislocated and I’m in absolute shock.”
READ MORE: Hilliers man with prosthetic leg rushes in to save neighbour from trailer blaze
She said she hopes the home can be repaired and does not want to leave her residence of nearly 40 years. Beeston is also concerned about the state of their possessions and does not know what is left. The insurance adjustor has not been out to examine the home as of Feb. 29, according to the Coombs-Hilliers Fire Department.
Beeston and Christensen have both made impacts on their community.
Christensen taught for many years at Kwalikum Secondary School and Ballenas Secondary School, while Beeston worked as both a news reporter and acting editor at the Parksville Qualicum Beach Progress. She also worked as a tour director, taking groups of tourists to Alaska, the Yukon and the Maritimes. Both were involved in numerous productions with ECHO Players in Qualicum Beach.
