Homeowner watches Fort McMurray home burn on security camn'It just doesn't seem real': Fort McMurray residents flee their homesnFort McMurra...
Homeowner watches Fort McMurray home burn on security camn'It just doesn't seem real': Fort McMurray residents flee their homesnFort McMurray man credits neighbour, girlfriend with saving him from burning homenSecurity cams keep Fort McMurray woman updated on status of home, catnFort McMurray Wildfire: 'Nasty, Dirty Fire' Burns Over 18K Acres as More Homes Are LostnFort McMurray residents face long wait as fire crews 'still have a long way to go'nFamily watches Fort McMurray home burn from doorbell security cameran Man watches Fort McMurray home burn on security camnAt the beginning the only thing out of the ordinary is the intense crackling. Then, the south-facing window goes dark. Only minutes after the video begins, the window shatters and plumes of ashy smoke pour into the room.nThe smoke eventually blocks out the light, and you’re left again with just sound—popping and breaking, until the video cuts out.nO’Reilly was in his truck, his wife in a vehicle behind, at Gregoire Lake south of town when he watched his home destroyed.nHe’d just driven through six packed lanes of traffic, the air full of so many embers it looked like fire brushing the sides of the camper he was pulling, and he says the adrenaline softened the blow—but now, its starting to settle in. n“We’ve ben talking for two days about all the things we left behind,” he said. “We left pretty much all our important papers, some important pictures, we left a glass of Candace’s father who passed away.”nHouse burns to the ground 20 minutes after occupants left.nnWhen thousands fled the flames in Fort McMurray Tuesday most wondered if they’d ever see their homes again.nnJames O’Reilly didn’t have to wonder—he watched his home of almost 20 years burn to the ground on his iPhone.nnThe video — shot by an indoor security camera about twenty minutes after O’Reilly and his wife had just barely enough time to grab some clothing and go — starts with a clear view of their living room, front window and two clown fish in a tank.nn“We’re better than most,” he said. “We made it through, and we have our camper, so we have a home on the road.”nnThe original 5 minute video has been sped up.nShe was upset about the safety of her son and his young family as their family-oriented community was emptied out and residents directed to a shelter housed in a recreation centre 40 kilometres southwest of the city.nnRogan Wentzell, who grew up and played hockey with his brother in Bridgewater, didn’t think there was a way he’d be able to help from half-way across the country.nn“And then I thought. . .well maybe there is.”nnHe reached out to the people the pair played hockey with as kids and set up a GoFundMe Page called “Devin and Alana’s new house fund.”nnIn one day it raised almost $2,300.nnSpeaking to the Chronicle Herald from an Edmonton hotel room on Thursday morning, Devin sounded worn, devastated and in shock.nnWednesday afternoon they were told they had to evacuate the emergency centre. A friend sprung a room for the exhausted family for three nights.nn“We’re a lot more comfortable now than we were, and got a better night’s sleep last night that’s for sure,” said Devin.But it wasn’t a sound one. Wentzell says the family will surely put the donations they receive to good use, though they know it won’t rebuild their home.nn“Honesty, we don’t know what our next steps are. We’re still sitting here trying to figure things out, whether we stay here or go back to Nova Scotia.”nnHis wife has family in Kenora, Ont., so that is an option too.nn“It’s definitely conflicting,” he said. “A third of our life has been spent here. Our friends are here.”nnTheir daughter Kate was born in Fort McMurray, and far from the industrial town it’s often portrayed as being, Wentzell said the city contains many family-oriented neighbourhoods with a generous community spirit.nnWhat Wentzell doesn’t understand is how this was allowed to happen.nn“We remember Slave Lake but we didn’t learn from it.”nn“All of Fort McMurray is built on hills, and fire burns faster uphill,” he said. “There’s going to be a lot of questions.”n1,600 structures lost in Fort McMurray as fire consuming city grows to 10,000 hectaresnFort McMurray fire: Escape convoy plannednFort McMurray: Canada wildfires force evacuation of oil sands citynWildrose Leader's home among those destroyed by Fort McMurray wildfirenFort McMurray in flames: The most dramaticnnnUncertain future for Fort McMurray evacuees as reality sinks innFort McMurray residents face long wait as fire crews 'still have a long way to go'nFamily's terror as they flee huge Fort McMurray firenFort McMurray wildfire burning so hot, only weather can stop itnRelatives tell Brian Jean bad news about Fort McMurray homenMy whole life is burning away' - Fort McMurray homes on fire, gas station blows upntag :Homeowner, watch, Fort McMurray, home ,burn, security cam Less
