Last week saw the end of a historic apartment complex in the city. Yorkton Manor, built in the old hospital building, was a total loss after catching fire on Tuesday evening. All 50 residents were safely evacuated.
The fire began shortly after 9:00 p.m. in the south west corner of the building before quickly spreading to an entire section. Some residents had to be rescued using the ladder truck.
One of the people who lost everything in the fire was Dean Samborski, who says that the only things he owned after the fire were the clothes he was wearing at the time.
“I was sitting at home at around 9:00 and the fire alarm went off and a guy was running down the hallway going ‘Fire! Fire! Fire!' so I got out of the building.”
The big loss for him is a medical scooter, needed because he only has the use of one arm and one leg, after a motorcycle accident left one side unusable. While he has insurance on his belongings, until he gets the equipment replaced it's difficult to get around.
The big concern is finding a place to live. Samborski lived in the building for two years, and it was a struggle just to find that apartment. It is also more difficult for him to find a place to live due to his mobility problems, he needs something ground floor where he can store and charge his scooter.
“That's what I'm really worried about, because I've got no place to live... There's nothing available to rent in Yorkton, and if there is they want thousands of dollars for it, and it's garbage.”
Samborski says while there are some practical worries that come along with replacing everything, he's already moved on.
“It doesn't bother me, it's gone so it's gone, you can't live for yesterday you have to live for tomorrow.”
Melanie Horton, Outreach Coordinator with the Canadian Red Cross says that donations were coming in fast for the former residents, with the Salvation Army handling clothes and furniture.
Just as Samborski predicts, the most difficult part is finding new accommodations has been the hardest part so far, though Horton says they are collaborating with Avenue Living, which managed the building, as well as the City of Yorkton, to find new accommodations for residents. The Howard Johnson Inn provided accommodations until the residents could have a more permanent residence.
“It's a tricky market, it's pretty busy right now and there's not a whole lot of availability, so we're really scrambling to find accommodations for everybody. But, we're hoping to have everybody relocated by the end of the week.”
Horton says that the community has quickly put their support behind the people who lost their homes.
“There's been a lot of people who want to help, my phone has been ringing off the hook from people who want to donate anything, from couches to rides and that sort of thing. It has been really great to see the community come together and help.”
The Salvation Army is currently accepting donations of clothes, small appliances and furniture for the fire victims at their thrift store at 20 Betts Ave.
Those who wish to donate money can do so through the Red Cross. Wal Mart is also accepting donations of toys and food hampers.
