A Syrian refugee family is recovering with friends in Halifax after a major fire destroyed a large barn at the farm where they were living near Tatamagouche, N.S.
The Tatamagouche Fire Department says the blaze at the building owned by Ram Farms Ltd. broke out Saturday evening just before 6 p.m.
The structure was four connected buildings covering about 10,000 square feet.
“We were immediately concerned with the house, of course. The siding was melted and we put a line on there to kind of control things,” said fire chief Ian MacDonald.
The Syrian family had moved to the farm about a month ago, and the father was working with an Iraqi family that owns the property.
The family was in the house when the blaze broke out in the barn.
Besides the dad, there are six small children and the mom, who is expecting her seventh child.
“The ambulance took her to Truro, and again, because of language, it's difficult to try to comfort somebody when there's very little English spoken,” said refugee liaison Jerry Amirault.
There were no injuries, but damage is estimated at almost $500,000. The family was insured.
Adam Kasey and his father are the farm owners. The Syrian family is staying with them in Halifax until power and water are restored.
Kasey says both families are grateful for the way they've been welcomed in the community.
"We're so lucky to have such a great supporting community of Tatamagouche,” he said. “We thank the people of Tatamagouche from the bottom of our hearts.”
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and it's not known at this time when the Syrian family will move back, or when new barns may be built.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Dan MacIntosh.
