Homeless Syrian family finds new place after fire destroyed their Mississauga house
On Sunday night, Alex Haditaghi, a local businessman, offered Khaled Alawad and his family an apartment free of rent for one year.
Haditaghi, an Iranian, who was also a refugee in Canada, called the Star to inform that he would help the family with an apartment.
Eventually, on Monday night, Alawad and his family met their benefactor on Sheppard avenue.
Though the apartment apparently appeared to be small for a family of five, Haditaghi promised to get it painted and cleaned by a week.
The Syrian family had become homeless after a fire struck a house and burnt completely in Mississauga on Saturday.
According to the report, the fire had struck in the house at 2 a.m. on Saturday.
Khaled Alawad, who was living in the house with his wife and three children, dialed 911 to seek help as the fire swept the entire house on Saturday midnight.
Describing the situation, Alawad told the Star: "I saw a light coming from the backyard, and I saw a big fire. I picked up my children and family and brought them outside and yelled, ‘please help, help, fire!"
The firefighters, who came immediately to the spot, took complete five hours to extinguish the fire, which destroyed the house by then.
Though no family members received any injury, two of the firefighters sustained minor ones, who were taken to a hospital.
The police, who didn't find any evidence in the whole incident, is continuing the investigation.
"We’ve gone two days without sleeping ... we’re very tired,” Alawad earlier said.
“You will find bad people and good people everywhere," he added. "I thank God that my family is safe.”
The Burnhamthorpe Community Centre, following the fire break out, was opened for the family to access the washroom and serve as a rehab location.
Alawad had also created a GoFundMePage with an aim to collect at least $20,000, stating that he is new to Canada and needs help.
In an email interaction with the Star, Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie, said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with all residents who are now rebuilding their lives as a result of this devastating fire.'
(Reporting by Souvik Ghosh)
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