Huron County family picking up the pieces following house fire
Cassandra Carter and her family had just left their rented farmhouse on Cardiff Road, between Belgrave and Wingham, Ont. early Saturday morning, when they got a phone call.
“One of my cousins called to say he heard there was a fire on Cardiff Road, and it was ours,” said Carter while standing in front of her destroyed home.
Carter rushed to the scene, but it was too late — her family’s home was engulfed in flames, and their two dogs were trapped inside.
“We had a St. Bernard and an Australian Shepherd inside. The Australian Shepherd was Abigail’s birthday present last year,” said Carter.
Carter, her two children and partner, Tim Wharton, lost everything in the blaze, including all their clothes, food, furniture, children’s toys, and keepsakes.
A farmhouse levelled by fire near Wingham, Ont. is seen on Feb. 8, 2023. (Scott Miller/CTV News London)
They’re currently living in a Wingham motel, with leads on some temporary housing, but the lack of available places to buy or rent is making their search difficult.
“Hopefully we’ll find something. Eventually, I guess, there will be something. Just time, I suppose,” said Carter.
Carter said they still don’t know what started the fire, but they are thankful no human members of their family were hurt.
If there is a silver living during the family’s darkest days, it’s been the community support.
Cassandra Carter, her daughters and their landlord stand in front of what’s left of the Carter/Wharton farmhouse on Cardiff Road, following a fire on Feb. 4, 2023. (Scott Miller/CTV News London)
Fundraisers at the girl’s school and Cassie’s employer, the Tim Hortons in Blyth, Ont. has brought in loads of clothing and toys for the girls. Friends have started an online fundraising campaign, already raising over $2,000 in just a few days.
“We knew there would be community support, but the amount that there is, is beyond believable,” said Carter.
To learn more about the Carter’s situation you can visit their Facebook page and online fundraiser.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Odds and ends: Here are some law changes Liberals plan to put in the budget bill
The 2023 federal budget released this week includes a series of affordability measures, tax changes, and major spends on health care and the clean economy. But, tucked into the 255-page document are a series of smaller items you may have missed.
Here are the ways the budget impacts you: From grocery bills to small business credit card fees
The federal government unveiled its spring budget Tuesday, with a clean economy as the centrepiece, and detailing targeted measures to help Canadians deal with still-high inflation.
Meet the Ontario stats prof who claims he can’t stop beating Roll Up To Win
A statistics professor at the University of Waterloo discusses how he continues to beat the Roll Up To Win contest at Tim Hortons.
These Canadian housing markets have home prices below the national average
Home prices have fallen below the national average in 14-out-of-20 regional housing markets, according to a report by Zoocasa. Saint John, N.B., took the top place for the most affordable region, with an average home price of $268,400.
Nashville shooting highlights security at private schools
Around the U.S., private schools generally do not face as many requirements as public schools for developing security plans. The Nashville shooting that killed three children and three school employees is highlighting that issue.
Contracting COVID-19 while pregnant could lead to a higher risk of obesity for the child: study
A small study is presenting evidence suggesting a strange possible outcome of a COVID-19 infection during pregnancy: higher risk of obesity for the child.
With plans for a new grocery rebate, how would you spend this money? Let us know
Along with improving access to health care and investing in a clean economy, the 2023 federal budget also includes plans for a one-time 'grocery rebate.' If you're hoping to apply for this rebate, CTVNews.ca wants to hear from you.
Walmart and Costco in Canada not making food inflation worse, experts say
Experts say the Canadian presence of American retail giants such as Walmart and Costco isn't likely to blame for rising grocery prices. That's despite Canadian grocery chain executives having pushed for MPs to question those retailers as part of their study on food inflation.
WATCH
WATCH | U.S. and South Korea send thousands of troops and 23-ton vehicles to practice beach assault
U.S. Marine forces have been flexing their muscles during assault drills with South Korea in a massive display of joint fire power.
Kitchener
-
Meet the Ontario stats prof who claims he can’t stop beating Roll Up To Win
A statistics professor at the University of Waterloo discusses how he continues to beat the Roll Up To Win contest at Tim Hortons.
-
Wet snow and heavy winds in the forecast for Waterloo-Wellington
Some wet and wintry weather is heading toward Waterloo region and Wellington County Wednesday.
-
Hamilton family raising awareness about Strep A after sudden death of toddler
A Hamilton, Ont., family is hoping to raise awareness about Strep A after the tragic death of their two-year-old.
Windsor
-
Crews battle working fire at former Mission Thrift Store location
Windsor firefighters are battling a blaze at the former Mission Thrift Store on Giles Boulevard.
-
Erie Shores HealthCare online clock displays ER wait times
Erie Shores HealthCare is announcing the launch of a second Emergency Department Wait Time Clock.
-
WATCH: Windsor driver gets charged after failing to stop
If you run through a stop sign in Windsor, you might end up on the Windsor police social media pages, in addition to your fine.
Barrie
-
More snow on the way for Simcoe Muskoka and surrounding areas
A weather travel advisory is in effect for late Wednesday afternoon.
-
Brechin man faces impaired driving charges after rolling car into ditch
A driver was charged with impaired driving after rolling his car in Ramara Tuesday.
-
Fire crews battle massive house fire in Blue Mountains
Fire crews in Blue Mountains spend several hours battling a large house fire on Tuesday night.
Northern Ontario
-
Highway 11 closed from Hwy. 101 to Smooth Rock Falls
Due to deteriorating weather conditions and a collision, Highway 11 is closed in both directions between the Highway 101 junction and Smooth Rock Falls on Wednesday.
-
Here are the ways the budget impacts you: From grocery bills to small business credit card fees
The federal government unveiled its spring budget Tuesday, with a clean economy as the centrepiece, and detailing targeted measures to help Canadians deal with still-high inflation.
-
Driver caught travelling 200km/hr on major Ontario highway
A 20-year-old has been charged with careless driving after travelling double the speed limit on a major Ontario highway.
Ottawa
-
LRT
LRT | Stage 2 of Ottawa LRT faces further delay
The long-awaited southern extension to Ottawa's light rail network is facing a further delay, a city committee heard Wednesday.
-
Here are the ways the budget impacts you: From grocery bills to small business credit card fees
The federal government unveiled its spring budget Tuesday, with a clean economy as the centrepiece, and detailing targeted measures to help Canadians deal with still-high inflation.
-
Tensions flare outside Ottawa school board meeting amid gender and washrooms discussion
Tensions flared Tuesday night outside an Ottawa school board meeting as trustees heard delegations about gender and washrooms in schools.
Toronto
-
Toronto police officer accused of failing to properly investigate woman's 'repeated pleas' for help before her murder
A Toronto police officer is facing disciplinary charges after he allegedly failed to 'conduct a sufficient investigation' into a woman's 'repeated pleas' for help with an ex-boyfriend that she had come to fear, just days prior to her murder.
-
'You're going to see cuts': McKelvie criticizes lack of support for Toronto in federal budget
Toronto Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie is warning that significant cuts to services and state-of-good repair work could be necessary as soon as next year.
-
First Nations leaders demand meeting with Ontario premier over mining, removed from chamber
Two First Nation leaders have been removed from Ontario's legislative chamber for shouting at Premier Doug Ford to meet with them over mining concerns.
Montreal
-
LIVE @ 1 P.M.
LIVE @ 1 P.M. | Bill 15: Quebec tables legislation to overhaul health system
The Legault government plans to reform Quebec's network through the creation of an agency called Santé Québec. Health Minister Christian Dubé introduced Bill 15, An Act to make the health and social services system more effective, on Wednesday.
-
The right to 'live a bit longer': Montreal student losing access to ALS meds calls for change
A 22-year-old McGill student who suffers from a terminal disease could soon lose access to the medication she needs because she's graduating from university.
-
Montreal synagogue spray painted with swastikas
A synagogue in The Plateau has been defaced with antisemitic graffiti. Swastikas were spray painted on Bagg Street Shul sometime over the weekend, said synagogue president Michael Kaplan on Tuesday.
Atlantic
-
N.S. mass shooting inquiry report must deliver 'clear commentary': family lawyer
A lawyer who represents Nova Scotia mass shooting victims' families said in an interview they are hoping "for clear commentary on what things went wrong and what things ought to have been done better or differently."
-
Cold front to sweep mix of snow, rain across the Maritimes Thursday
A low-pressure system moving north of the St. Lawrence River valley will sweep a cold front across the Maritimes on Thursday.
-
N.B. residents suffering from mystery brain disease call for fresh investigations
New Brunswickers suffering from a mystery neurological disorder are calling for an investigation into potential environmental causes of the health problems they've been living with for more than two years.
Winnipeg
-
Death in Main Street hotel room now a homicide; victim identified
Winnipeg police are now treating the suspicious death of a 33-year-old man in a Main Street hotel as a homicide.
-
Winnipeg has not recorded a positive temperature since Valentine's Day. Here is how long the cold could last
Manitobans waiting for the temperature to warm up this spring will have to wait a little longer.
-
School hour changes approved for one school division in Winnipeg
The board of trustees for one Winnipeg school division has officially approved changes to start and end times at some of its schools.
Calgary
-
Calgary high school student dies on class trip to Japan
A Calgary high school student has died while on an school trip overseas.
-
Garage in southeast Calgary community gutted by fire
A detached garage in the community of Ogden was gutted by a fast-moving fire on Wednesday.
-
Violence at Lions Park LRT station sends two women to hospital
Two women were taken to hospital on Tuesday evening after a violent incident at a northwest CTrain station.
Edmonton
-
Shooting at Red Deer home temporarily prompts hold-and-secure at nearby schools
A shooting in Red Deer resulted in several public schools being put into hold-and-secure mode Wednesday morning.
-
Edmonton man comes home to find snake native to U.S. in apartment
An Edmonton man says he hasn't slept well since finding a metre-long snake that's native to the eastern and southern American states behind his couch.
-
'Long road ahead of him': Employee shot at Edmonton Pizza Hut enters physiotherapy
The Pizza Hut employee who was shot at his workplace earlier this month is on the long road to recovery, his sister has confirmed Tuesday to CTV News Edmonton.
Vancouver
-
Lululemon shares up more than 10% after reporting Q4 revenue up 30% from year ago
Shares of Lululemon Athletica Inc. climbed more than 10 per cent in early trading after the company reported its net revenue for its fourth quarter rose 30 per cent compared with a year ago.
-
Metro Vancouver transit users expected to be hit with fare increase
TransLink is expected to approve a fare hike, despite receiving a nearly half-billion dollar bailout from the province just weeks ago.
-
Vancouver's 25-cent single-use cup fee will be eliminated May 1
Businesses in Vancouver will no longer be required to charge a fee for single-use cups as of May 1, a move that reverses a decision by the previous city council.