A Windsor woman who lost nearly everything in a house fire is hoping the community can help her.
57-year-old Denise Wigle was among four people displaced after a fire at a multi-unit home on Janette Avenue last week. Damage is estimated at about $400,000.
No one was seriously injured, however Wigle says she was treated in hospital for carbon monoxide poisoning after waking up to a smoke-filled apartment.
A GoFundMe has been launched to help Wigle secure housing, utilities and transportation.
Her e-bike was also stolen between Wednesday and Sunday from the side of her home. The e-bike was Wigle’s means of transportation.
Prior to the fire, Wigle was put on a medical leave from her personal support worker work because of physical injuries but was accepted into a college program starting in September, allowing her to train for a career that’s less physically demanding.
Nady Godbout, a friend of Wigle, says Denise is the most caring person she knows.
“She has cared for our most vulnerable in the community for 20 years. Now we would like the community to help Denise because she’s the one in need at the moment. She was a little bit down on her luck being on a leave of absence due to physical limitations. She finally got accepted to a college program that she’s starting in September, so this is a huge setback.”
Wigle says physically she’s feeling better, but it’s been really hard.
“The carbon monoxide poisoning really made me very weak and confused. I was vomiting all the time, things like that. I was just so, so sick. But I’m on the med now. I’m still not completely there. I’m still getting the severe headaches and stuff, but I’m doing much better now.”
She says the home will be been condemned.
“There’s really no saving it from what the firefighter inspectors said. I got all the smoke inhalation. So, I mean, I was able to get a few sentimental things like I could maybe get the smell out of, but other than that, pretty much most of it’s gone. The silver lining, right... I woke up and I got out of there.”
Wigle says she’s facing homelessness once her temporary accommodation runs out.
“I have nowhere to go and I have nobody to go to. The social worker said the shelter is not the place for you to be. The city said I’m only a level two when it comes to crisis. So homelessness by fire is only level two. I’m just trying to figure out next steps and just trying to keep my chin up and believe that something good will come out of this.”
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
A GoFundMe for another resident impacted by the blaze can be found here.
Godbout says monetary donations are the most immediate way people can help, but anyone with information about affordable housing or transportation is also being encouraged to come forward.
The goal is to help Wigle secure a safe place to live before she begins school in September.