Parents, 5 kids escape home before it burns to ground

A family of seven in eastern P.E.I. escaped safely before their home burned to the ground overnight Thursday.

Like thousands of others on P.E.I., Tanya Sibbick said her family was without power Thursday night. She and her husband were home watching a movie with five children of their seven children — two are in university — using power from a generator.

After the others went to bed, she said her older daughter noticed smoke. They rushed out of the house and went to a neighbour's home across the street. They weren't able to collect any belongings, she said, except for the cellphone she had in her hand.

Staying with relatives

Firefighters responded to the two-storey wood-frame house on the outskirts of Cardigan at around 2:30 a.m.

There were no injuries, but some house pets were lost in the fire.

At the end of the day, it's just stuff and we're all OK.— Tanya Sibbick

The couple and five children — ranging in age from 12 to 17 — are staying with relatives.

Red Cross volunteers on Friday delivered emergency supplies to the family, including winter clothing, food and eyeglasses for one the children.

Sibbick said the outpouring of support from the community has been "phenomenal."

"My phone has not stopped," she said. "Offers of clothing, shelter, anything we need."

Son receives hockey gear

She said they are trying to keep everything as normal as possible for the children.

"My son belongs to a pee wee hockey team and they're playing in a tournament this weekend and his hockey team has all gathered up enough hockey gear that he can play hockey tomorrow. It's just phenomenal."

She said the family plans to meet with an insurance adjuster on Saturday.

"At the end of the day, it's just stuff and we're all OK."

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