July 10, 2022

GRAVENHURST FIRE LEAVES 10 PEOPLE IN 2 FAMILIES HOMELESS AFTER DUPLEX DESTROYED

GRAVENHURST — Sarah Nash and her family of four had just bought a new home and were suppose to move in later this month just a short distance away.

But early yesterday they lost their residence in an early morning fire that also destroyed the other half of the duplex they live in on the Muskoka Beach Road on the corner before the Beechgrove School heading out to Taboo Resort.

Gravenhurst firefighters responded to the call at 3 a.m., Saturday July 9, that left 10 members of the two families (four and six) homeless.

By the time they got there the house was fully engulfed and it took firefighters five hours to put out the blaze before returning to the station at 8 a.m.

There were no major injuries — only one minor.

However firefighters did rescue the Nash family’s dog “Tylee,” which was still in the house when they arrived and later began sifting through the debris of rubble they estimate to have been an $800,000 fire.

Ashley Bray and her family, including three kids, their father and grandmother also suffered the loss of their home.

A black pickup truck in a driveway at the entrance to a garage looked severely damaged. Nash said her SUV was destroyed.

The home is located next to another duplex built in recent years by Habitat for Humanity.

**A duplex on Muskoka Beach Road was destroyed early Saturday when fire ripped through it leaving two families with 10 people homeless. Everyone escaped safely.**

Nash, the mom behind last year’s successful campaign to slow drivers on the Beach Road with dozens of small fluorescent yellow signs — that read ‘Slow Down Kids At Play’ — said shortly after the blaze broke out that the family is “absolutely devastated by this tragic event.”

**Fire crews responded to 911 calls at about 3 a.m. Saturday morning, July 9. Photo Gravenhurst Fire Department**

**The town’s new aerial fire ladder truck was deployed for the first time to battle the blaze. Photo GFD**

Theresa Buker, of Free Stuff 4 Daily needs, has been helping organize and supporting the families.

She told MuskokaTODAY.com Sunday that fundraising for the families is already “going very well.

“We etransfered funds to families early yesterday morning so they could start getting essentials right away. Then this afternoon we were able to send them more and they have now received gift cards as well.

She said: “We also asked for etransfers/cash (to [email protected]).

“To date we have raised $750 in gift cards and $2,365 in cash.”

Both families will be receiving another etransfer later today of funds raised Sunday, she said.

Buker added: “The one family had just bought a home and was set to move at the end of the month anyways, so they will be situated soon.

“Now we have to find housing for the family of three adults, three children and a dog.”

**Sarah Nash posted this photo of her burning home on social media early yesterday.**

Nash posted this note on Facebook early Sunday shortly after the fire:

“Early this morning, we woke up from the terrible sounds of huge cracks and bangs, quickly realizing our home was rapidly burning down. We were able to quickly get our children out, and was safely taken care of from our beautiful community we are so incredibly grateful for. We are currently in a hotel room in Bracebridge and will be able to stay for a couple of nights.

“Unfortunately, absolutely everything we own has been completely destroyed including my SUV. But we have the clothes on our backs and our sweet girl Tylee was found from the firefighters still breathing.

“We just wanted to thank you to everyone from the bottom of our hearts. And to this town of ours — and all of our family and friends — we apologize if we haven’t responded quickly enough.

“We just need a little time as we are absolutely devastated by this tragic event.

We love each and every one of you.”

Nash was unavailable for comment.

Reached this afternoon, her partner Jason Brown said the family was coping as well as expected and were “busy” dealing with the aftermath.