Darlene McNeil doesn’t even have her driver’s licence anymore — the fire took everything from her.
In the early morning hours of April 9, flames burned two homes on Fourth Avenue, leaving one badly damaged.
RCMP told The Chief there is “nothing suspicious at this stage,” and Squamish Fire Rescue will be looking into the cause.
McNeil, a tenant living upstairs, says she was in the house where the fire started.
Around 2:30 a.m., she heard a banging, popping sound. When she saw her electric clock stopped working, she realized the power was out.
A commotion was heard downstairs, and as she looked toward her window, she saw something peculiar.
“I could see these weird lights coming through my blinds,” said McNeil. “I opened the blinds and I could see super flamage coming from the garage area, which is basically just below my window.”
So she raced out from what had been her home for 10 years with only her housecoat, her shoes and her cat.
“Just in PJs and a housecoat — that’s it,” she said.
“The flames were just raging. It was unbelievable.”
There were moments of kindness, however. McNeil said some of the neighbours scrambled to give provide clothes, and someone gave her a place to stay the night.
Emergency social services has also been assisting her.
However, there is a long road of rebuilding for McNeil, who is currently staying in Kelowna with her adult daughter. She hopes to be able to return to Squamish soon.
“I’m still in shock. You know, I lost everything,” she said, adding she didn’t have renter’s insurance. “My life is gone. I have nothing.”
In the meantime, an online fundraiser has been set up to help McNeil piece her life back together.
So far, about $4,800 has been raised on the GoFundMe campaign “Please help Darlene McNeil who lost everything.”
“If you know Darlene, you know how contagious her smile is. She is the most caring woman and grandmother and mother. Please share this post so we can get her the help she needs during this horrible time. Much love to all of you,” reads the fundraising page.
Tracy Walker and her son were living downstairs from McNeil, and Walker said she is in a similar situation.
“I literally walked out with my pajamas and my phone,” said Walker, adding she was also able to grab her purse.
“I didn’t have renters insurance. I just moved in.”
It’s unclear what, if anything, can be recovered from the remains of the house, she said.
However, the accident has brought out some good.
People have been stepping up to help her pay for the essentials, such as groceries.
“I think Squamish has been wonderful,” said Walker. “I would like to say thank you for bringing clothes, gift cards.”
She said she’s looking for a new place to live, and is hoping someone can point her in the right direction.
She too has an online fundraiser: “Help Tracy and Garet rebuild!” on Facebook.
The Chief has reached out to others affected by the fire but did not receive responses by press deadline.
