The evening of Feb. 13 began like any other for one Linaria household. However life for the family of seven would soon be changed forever when a small chimney fire took a turn for the worst.
The cozy white house was home to Lenard Jennings, 67, and his wife Edna, 62. The couple had lived on the acreage for over 30 years, taking care of five of their grandchildren ages five to 14 years old for the past five years.
Edna was home with four of her granddaughters, and was aware there was a small chimney fire in the wood stove of her sunroom. Having dealt with them regularly she thought it was under control, and the family sat down for dinner as they normally would.
Afterward, Edna saw the sunroom was getting smoky. She went to check the pipes and everything looked fine. That’s when she heard the crackling.
The grandmother told her eldest granddaughter to go outside and check the roof.
“Of course all the kids were so intrigued they all put their coats and boots on, and went outside,” said Pam Grenier, youngest daughter of Edna and Lenard and aunt to the five children. “The 11-year-old came back in the house and said, ‘Grandma, the house is on fire.’”
When Edna went to see if the fire was containable, she found the whole sunroom roof engulfed in flames. She was able to call emergency services, her husband, and a neighbour before the flames cut off the power.
After feeling her way back out of a darkened home, Edna was able to get the children into the family van. Lenard arrived shortly after, along with two neighbours who invited the family to come to their house.
“The kids were hysterical at that point. The windows were popping out of the house,” said Grenier, who had spent her own childhood in the home. “It wasn’t safe, and it wasn’t going to help anything to be there.”
Once the family was safely at the neighbour’s, Edna was finally able to call her daughter. Grenier wanted to go to her parents, but due to the bad road conditions it wasn’t safe.
With the house over 30 kilometres from the nearest emergency services station, the entire building was in flames by the time the fire department arrived. The fire was under control within the hour, but nothing salvageable remained.
Homelessness became a horrific reality for the couple and their grandchildren. Wanting to do anything in her power to help, Grenier took in the family to live in the trailer where she resided with her own three children.
“There was nothing I could do, so I told them immediately they needed to come to me,” said Grenier. “That I would take care of them for as long as they needed.”
Edna and Lenard have now found a temporary place to stay in Westlock, but this is only a short-term fix. Grenier said they are trying to figure out where to go from here, and how to establish their acreage as a livable place again.
Taking care of five young girls was often a day to day struggle for the dedicated grandparents, who wanted to give their grandchildren everything they needed. Unfortunately finances were an issue and the Jennings were unable to afford the costly house and fire insurance, leaving them with no coverage.
Family friend Carrie Suian helped the Jennings set up a donation account at the Royal Bank in Westlock. She also distributed posters and a list of what the family needed around the area, hoping the community could find some way to contribute.
“It was hard for them to do the list,” said Suian. “While you’re sitting there the day after your house just burned to the ground, and you’re trying to think of what you need when you’ve given to people your whole life, it’s a big thing to learn how to be on the receiving end instead.”
It didn’t take long for a response. Now, the family no longer needs items on the donations list.
“For the most part that list is complete,” said Grenier. “I just marvel at how our community is pulling together.”
A potluck supper fundraiser was also held over the weekend in Linaria, with people coming from as far as Calgary. MLA Maureen Kubinec also attended, praising the community’s spirit and support.
Though support is high, financial donations and volunteers are still welcome as the Jennings try to rebuild their life from the ground up.
“Whatever they can do physically, we really could use that help,” said Grenier. “A lot of their neighbours are seniors, so they can’t help in the way that mom and dad need for cleaning up and restarting.”
Suian added she hopes the familycan make a new life for themselves.
“Just by a miracle of community togetherness, maybe someday they’ll be able to have enough money to rebuild or move a trailer there,” she said.
Financial donations can be sent to:
Westlock Royal Bank, 10427 100 Ave., Westlock, AB T7P 2J2.
Cheques can be made payable to Lenard and Edna Jennings. Questions about donations or volunteering can be directed to Pam at 780-674-5898.
