A Nanaimo family is grief-stricken after an early morning fire swept through their second-floor apartment in the early morning hours of Nov. 29.
Fire fighters were called shortly after 3 a.m. to an Albert Street apartment located in an older building above a thrift store. Living in the apartment was a couple and their seven children, ranging in age from four to 14.
A little boy asleep in a back bedroom, seven-year-old Dominik Billy, was rescued by fire fighters who battled the smoke and flames to get to him. He was resuscitated and taken to Nanaimo Regional General Hospital then sent by hovercraft to Children’s Hospital in Vancouver, but little Dominik passed away on the morning of Nov. 30.
This is the second tragedy the Billy family has suffered in as many months. In October 2014, Joshua Billy, the uncle of Dominik, was found lifeless outside a Campbell River residence.
See related story here: http://www.hashilthsa.com/news/2014-11-21/family-seeks-information-death...
Dominik’s parents and siblings are now homeless and in need of everything, including clothing, toiletries, household items, furniture and food.
According to Agatha Billy, help is coming in but the weather is bitterly cold and the family has no winter jackets or warm footwear. Donations are being accepted at two addresses in Nanaimo.
Food donations can be brought to 694 Howard Ave. in the back. Furniture and other donations are being accepted at 471 Irwin Street, also around the back.
There is a Gofundme account set up for cash donations for the Billy family. To find it go to the Gofundme website and type in Williams Billy house fire recovery. The site accepts donations via credit card or bank transfers.
For those wishing to donate clothes and shoes to the Billy family, sizes are as follows:
Dad wears size 36 pants, XL shirt and size 9 shoes.
Mom wears size 11/12 pants, M shirts, L jacket and size 7 shoes.
Daughter age 14 wears size 1 pants, small shirt, S/M jacket and size 7 shoes.
Daughter age 13 wears size L leggings, L shirt, L/XL jacket and size 9 shoes.
Daughter age 9 wears size 10 clothes and size 3 shoes.
Daughter age 8 wears size 8 cloths and size 2 shoes.
Twin boys, age 4, wear size 4 & 5 clothes and size 11 & 12 shoes.
The family is struggling as they grieve the loss of little Dominik and they are grateful for the generosity of the communities that are coming to them in their time of need.
The funeral of their little boy will be held on Thursday, Dec. 4 at the Nanaimo Long House Kitchen just off of Cedar Road.
For more information or to make donations contact Agatha Billy at 250-591-5719.
