Fundraiser held for Nova Scotia family after lightning strike burns home

A fun run was held Saturday to raise money for a family burned out of their rental home after a lightning strike last weekend.

It was just a week ago when Michele Coons, her fiancé and daughter were out for a bite to eat when a thunderstorm rolled through the Queensland, N.S. area where they lived.

They arrived home to find smoke pouring from the house and no way to get in to save pets or possessions.

They lost everything, including two pet dogs that were killed in the blaze.

Lindsay Lamrock was one of the firefighters who attended the scene that night, which was also her first structure fire. She saw how the family was impacted.

"Seeing what happened to the dogs and the stress it put on the family, I just thought it would be a really great idea to do a run. I'm a runner myself and I have a running group in Tantallon," she said.

At least 35 runners registered for the 5K run and more showed up on the day, bringing the total number of runners to around 70. The route started and ended at the Black Point fire station.

Didn't know the family

Lamrock said she didn't know the family before starting to organize the fundraiser.

"Michelle and her family had stopped by the fire station just to thank us for everything we did. I've had quite a bit of communication back and forth, finding out what they need," she said.

The family had been staying in a cottage in Hubbards owned by family members, but it didn't have a stove and other essentials.

"So they've just basically been living on Mr. Noodles apparently," Lamrock said. "So now they're in a new place and can do some cooking."

Family members have also started a GoFundMe online fundraising campaign to help Coons replace some of the possessions lost. They didn't have insurance.

"They're absolutely overwhelmed by the amount of support and outreach that this community has put in," Lamrock said.

"They got quite the response and they are so thankful and so appreciative."