Burnt woods near sports field in Broad Cove (VOCM News)
The Mayor of Small Point-Broad Cove-Blackhead-Adam’s Cove believes residents will rebuild following this summer’s devastating fires, but it’s going to require the assistance of government.
The evacuation zone was completely opened on Friday, allowing homeowners a first glimpse at the damaged caused.
Close to 200 homes are destroyed.
Fire Chief Roger Gillingham and Mayor Curtis Delaney (VOCM News)
Mayor Curtis Delaney says help will be needed, for the town, for those without insurance, and even for those who do have insurance but where gaps in coverage remain.
“With something of this scale, the federal government, probably through federal disaster relief, will be stepping in.” Those conversations says Delaney are in the early stages and have been ongoing since the fire in May. “We’re going to be looking for help, whatever help that we can get from both levels of government…for the residents themselves, for the town, and we’re hoping, eventually, people are going to rebuild.”
The fire came to an abrupt halt after burning through the older portion of the Western Bay South UC Cemetery (VOCM News)
As residents of the Conception Bay North Shore assess the damage caused by the wildfire that dominated the region for the better part of three weeks, some emotional complexities are coming to the fore.
Some homes are intact, while inexplicably, a neighbouring home might be reduced to ash.
Many are understandably grieving the loss of their homes, but those who are able to return are also struggling.
Mark Ploughman’s home, surrounded by burnt woods and Broad Cove Brook running dry (VOCM News)
Small Point-Broad Cove-Blackhead-Adam’s Cove town councilor Mark Ploughman’s house is being called the miracle house. Somehow, the home, which he just finished building, is still standing despite the fact that the flames completely surrounded it.
Ploughman admits to survivor guilt. He says it’s hard to understand how his house was spared while others are a complete loss.
“There’s a lot of different emotions” says Ploughman who initially thought his house was gone.
Mayor Delaney feels the same.
He says the fire clearly had a mind of its own. “My home is actually still standing, but I look and I say, ‘well, why is my home standing, and someone else’s is gone?’ And that’s a hard pill to swallow as well. How do you deal with that?”