‘My heart just breaks’: N.S. community rallies to support family after tragic fire

A Nova Scotia community is supporting a family who lost their children in a fire last weekend.

In the wake of a devastating fire that claimed the lives of three young children in Lower Sackville, N.S., community members are coming together to support the grieving family.

Local business owners and residents have launched initiatives to raise money for the Steiger-Loppie family, hoping to provide comfort during a time of unimaginable loss.

The fire broke out in the family’s home on Riverside Drive around 3:10 a.m. Saturday. Siblings five-year-old Cayson and nine-year-old Alauna have since died, along with their cousin, six-year-old Chloe, who had been living with the family for two years.

CTV News has learned their father, Jermaine, was released from hospital Wednesday. The family has also shared that Cayson became an organ donor and was honoured with a “Hero’s Walk” at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax Thursday morning.

David Nicholson, the owner of Sydelles Fish and Chips restaurant and a father of four, says the tragedy hits close to home. He recalls how the community helped him rebuild after his restaurant burned down years ago.

“This tragedy is unimaginable. This community has helped me time and time again. While there’s absolutely no comparison, this community rallied around getting this restaurant open,” said Nicholson.

Since deciding to help, he’s learned from close friends of Tanya Steiger and Jermaine Loppie that the family frequented his restaurant.

“My heart just breaks for the family, classmates, friends, [and] the whole community,” he says.

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David has added a “Benevolence Burger” to the menu until Sunday; the earnings will go toward the family.

At The Helm Pie Bakery, owner Charmaine St. Peters has also stepped up. Customers at her shop are already participating in the initiative; for every purchase made, $2 will be donated to the family.

“When I heard the news that all three souls were lost, I wanted to do something,” St. Peters said. “I have two grandchildren that are the same ages and so I looked at them and thought, what would I do if I lost them?”

Since announcing the fundraising efforts, St. Peters said numerous customers have reached out so they can help too.

“So far this morning, every customer that’s walked in we’ve asked them if they know what we are doing, and they have said yes.”

Dawn Cookson-Campbell, who owns the business Infinity Links in Bedford, N.S., is friends with a friend of the family. Since hearing what the family is going through, Cookson-Campbell has promised to donate $20 from every purchase at her store to support the family.

“This is about coming together as a community and doing whatever we can,” she said.

These initiatives will wrap up on Sunday.

More than $115,000 has been raised through a GoFundMe page.

Hundreds of people attended a candlelight vigil and walk in support of the family at Sackville High School on Thursday evening.

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