The Hordichuk family believed the worst was behind them when they safely fled the Fort McMurray wildfires, until a trailer filled with their most cherished belongings was stolen.
"This is supposed to get better, not worse," Angie Hordichuk told CTV Edmonton on Monday.
The family had considered themselves luckier than most of the tens of thousands for Fort McMurray evacuees, since they were able to pack their trailer with irreplaceable items including jewelry and family heirlooms, along with necessities such as their children's clothes, before evacuating.
The Hordichuks stayed at campgrounds while the evacuation order was in effect, including one near Gull Lake, Alta. They’d been there for about two weeks, when they had to leave for the weekend as the grounds were full with pre-booked guests. So the family drove their truck to Edmonton, and left the trailer behind.
Jason Hordichuk said, when they returned on Sunday night, the trailer was gone.
"Just the bricks holding the tires were still there," he said.
The trailer was eventually recovered, but it was badly damaged and most of the items were gone.
Among the missing items were receipts the family needed for insurance purposes and a ring handed down by Jason Hordichuk's grandmother.
"That stuff can't be replaced," he said. "I don't have extra insurance for that stuff, I don't even have pictures of them."
Despite losing their most valuable possession, Hordichuk said the family continues to be reminded of the kindness they've received from strangers across the province.
"I'm not going to let this small incident ruin that sense for what I believe the rest of Alberta represents," he said.
With a report from CTV Edmonton
