A Lanark County family is facing another devastating setback after the few belongings that survived a fire at their home were stolen days later. Kimberly and Tyler Burns’ home was destroyed by fire on July 3. “This was supposed to be our home for a while and now we’re starting all over again,” said Burns. Kimberly said the morning began like any other. She woke up with the couple’s two children and left the house to go to the veterinarian. “I left at 7:50 and I got a call from him at 8:40 and he said the house was on fire,” she said. Burns says by the time he arrived, the garage was engulfed in flames with the fire quickly spreading across the room. “I was coming from Smiths Falls, which is behind us and you could just see the smoke,” he said. “The big problem is propane tanks here. They actually blew off and just fed the fire.” While the home was declared a total loss, firefighters were able to save some of the family’s belongings, including family silver and Tyler’s collection of antique tractors. “The boys’ room was hardly touched because I had the door closed, so we were able to salvage those off the shelves,” said Kimberly. The couple stored the items in a shed on the property for safekeeping, or so they thought. But days later, they say someone broke in and stole everything. “Why would anyone do that? It’s pretty wild,” said Burns. “You know, pull up to a burned house and open a shed and there’s a baby crib in there with toys in it, and you still take that stuff. So wild to me that someone has the audacity to do that.” The family is now staying with relatives as they begin the process of rebuilding their lives. A fundraiser has raised nearly $7,000 to help cover expenses that will not be covered by insurance. “We’re very, very thankful for the community, the friends, the family and the coworkers that have all come together and helped us,” said Kimberly. The family is hoping the stolen belongings can still be recovered and returned. The cause of the fire is undetermined.
