In the early hours of Jan 25, a young family in Port Clements lost their home and belongings to a devastating house fire. One firefighter was hospitalized due to smoke inhalation. The community is rallying to support the affected family, with donation efforts underway.
The Port Clements Volunteer Fire Department (PCVFD) arrived on the scene around 1 a.m. and battled the blaze until approximately 7 a.m. According to PCVFD Fire Chief Mike Van Herd, the fire involved a coordinated effort by approximately 12 PCVFD members, four members of the Tlell Volunteer Fire Department, and one firefighter from Masset who happened to be in town.
Homeowner Sarah Hunt told Haida Gwaii News that she and her family were alerted by recently installed fire alarms. “Thank goodness we had fire alarms, I wouldn’t have noticed the fire otherwise,” Hunt said. Upon opening her bedroom door, she saw a floor-to-ceiling wall of thick smoke. Hunt explained that she googled the number for the PCVFD but was directed to the wrong number. A neighbour, who had the correct number on her fridge, called for help. The fire department arrived within minutes. The family evacuated quickly, and within ten minutes, the house was fully engulfed in flames.
Adding to the challenge were winds blowing at approximately 50 km/h, which intensified the fire. “The wind was blowing directly off the ocean, making the fire extremely aggressive,” Van Herd told Haida Gwaii News. While the fire threatened other properties, firefighters managed to contain it, preventing damage to neighbouring houses and businesses. “We ran the town’s water supply dangerously low fighting this one,” Van Herd added. Handwritten signs around Port Clements later urged residents to conserve water while the supply was replenished. “Thank goodness nothing else caught fire, and everyone got out safely,” he said.
The cause of the fire is still unknown. “We think it was electrical as it started downstairs. Brandon said the floor was burning underneath him,” Hunt explained. A neighbour noticed the fire in the lower portion of their home, further suggesting an electrical origin. “We have no idea how it started. I can only say for sure that it was entirely burning when we got there,” said Van Herd. A fire investigator is scheduled to visit the island next week to determine the cause of the blaze.
In the aftermath of the fire, communities across Haida Gwaii quickly came together to support the family. Sarah, Brandon, and their daughter Olivia were immediately provided with a temporary apartment to stay in. Betty Stewart and the community market in Port Clements welcomed donations of goods and money. Bayview Market placed a donation box on its counter, which was quickly filling up that same day. In Daajing Giids, Funk It! raised over $175 for the family by the end of Saturday, matching public contributions to reach a total of $350.
Buck Snort Bakery and Café, located adjacent to the destroyed property, expressed gratitude for the firefighters’ efforts. “All your efforts were deeply appreciated. Thankfully, no lives were lost. Unfortunately, the young family next door have lost their home and everything in it,” the business wrote in a heartfelt social media post.
Fundraising efforts are ongoing, including a raffle organized by Sasha Aubin, who is raffling a Johnny Cash Martin guitar on social media. “Tina, the postmistress, did a raffle, and we have received a lot of donations from community members on and off the island,” Hunt said. “I am thankful for the bravery of the fire departments. We are very grateful.” She says that the PCVFD recently gave the life-saving fire alarms to the family at a Halloween promotion.
House fires are among the most devastating emergencies for families, often resulting in the total loss of property and causing significant emotional and financial stress. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), cooking is the leading cause of house fires, followed by heating equipment and electrical malfunctions. Fires can spread rapidly, particularly in areas with strong winds or older wooden structures, underscoring the importance of fire prevention measures such as smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, and emergency escape plans.
While the cause of the Port Clements fire remains under investigation, the swift response of the community demonstrates the strength and resilience of Haida Gwaii residents during a crisis.