A family in Amherstburg is picking up the pieces after losing everything in a fire Friday morning.
Emergency crews responded to 134 Elmstead Lane and found the structure fully involved.
Colton Bradt says it was just a normal day for him, his wife Chelsea and his two boys who are two and 4-years-old.
"Wife went to work, kids went school, I went to work. I get a call from my neighbour around 10:20 a.m. saying the house was on fire. I left work in Oldcastle, started driving back toward's Amherstburg by the time I got to Alma [Street] and the 5th Concession I could see the smoke. So kind of figured it out at that point how bad it was."
He says his neighbour rescued their dog Molly.
"My other neighbour reached out to me, Brent Charlebois is his name, he ran over. The house has a detached garage that's still standing, but he ran over and got the dog out of the garage. When he was over getting her out, all of the windows were blown out of the house."
Emergency crews respond to fire at 134 Elmstead Lane in Amherstburg. Friday Nov. 24, 2023. (Photo courtesy of GoFundMe)
Bradt's twin sister Faith started a GoFundMe for the family and at the time of publication had over $44,000 raised, surpassing the $25,000 goal.
He says the support is overwhelming and is thanking the community.
"Just how grateful we are and we'll make sure we pay it forward."
Bradt says his home was just renovated last year and they were living with their in-laws during that time, and are now currently staying again with them.
He says he's hoping to have more of a permanent home in the next few weeks before the holiday's.