When Christine Prevost left her View Royal home on the morning of New Year's Eve for a shopping trip, she had no idea that by the evening, she and her family would be homeless.

While helping her youngest son spend gift cards he received at Christmas, Prevost was unaware fire crews were at her home tackling a blaze, which had broken out around 1 p.m. on Dec. 31.

A phone call from her brother alerted her to the emergency, but by the time she returned, the fire was out and her home was destroyed.

Three generations of Prevost鈥檚 family, 11 people in total, lived in the rental home, including her eight-week-old grandson. 

Thankfully all of them were out when the fire took hold. But sadly, their 12-year-old dog Bella died in the fire.

鈥淲e had her since she was five weeks old,鈥� said Prevost.

With their home in ruins and most services closed for New Year celebrations, the multi-generational family were left wondering where they would be sleeping that night.

But help was at hand.

Emergency Support Services (ESS) quickly arranged for the family to move to a hotel in Colwood, where nine of them have been staying while they try to rebuild their lives. Prevost's two sons have been able to stay with family.

Left with only the clothes they were wearing that day, and unable to salvage any belongings because of hazardous materials in their burnt-out home, the family has started 2025 trying to rebuild their lives. 

鈥淚t's definitely hard,鈥� said Prevost about the thought of starting over. 

鈥淚t seems like we just all finally got settled 鈥� it鈥檚 devastating for it to just all be gone,鈥� she adds, explaining they had lived there since September 2022.

Prevost says their home, which was up for sale as part of a land assembly, is unlikely to be repaired. Even if work did go ahead, their landlord has said it would take up to eight months to complete.

Instead, the family has quickly got to work looking for a new home and has already secured one in Langford, which will be ready for all 11 of them in February.

"At this time I think us as a family think it's important to stay together," said Prevost, who relishes her role as grandmother, helping both her daughters and their partners raise her two grandchildren.

Until their move in February, they hope to carry on their stay in the hotel.

To cover the cost of their short-term accommodation, the family have received financial help from ESS and Surrounded by Cedar, a charitable organization that supports urban Indigenous children and youth in the Greater Victoria area.

But the funding runs out after Jan. 10, and the family are unsure what they will do until they move into their new Langford home in February.

鈥淲e're still waiting to see if our bands will help us cover some hotel stay or short-term stay or emergency housing,鈥� said Prevost, who is Ahousaht First Nation.

鈥淏ut it's all just been a waiting game.鈥�

To help, an online fundraising page has been set up by the employer of Vincent Dick, Prevost鈥檚 partner, which as of Jan. 9, has raised over $3,100 to help the family with living costs.

The community has also come together to donate clothes, furniture and household items. 

Generosity has been so overwhelming, that the family have asked to pause donations, as they have no space to store the items.

鈥淲e'd like to truly thank the community for all the help and supporting us in our time of need,鈥� said Prevost.

To support the family and make a donation, visit the website: .