A couple who retired in Grand Forks, B.C., is facing the daunting task of rebuilding their lives once more after surviving two devastating fires in the span of a year.
Ritchie and Rene Day were startled on the evening of December 21 while staying at Johnny’s Motel in Grand Forks, approximately 340 kilometers southeast of Vancouver, when they were alerted to a fire engulfing the premises. This incident marked the second time in 2025 that the Days had been forced to evacuate due to a fire, along with other residents from four neighboring units.
Having relocated to the motel just four months earlier to regroup and handle insurance matters following the loss of their cherished home to a fire in late September, the Days found themselves in a similar predicament. Their previous home, which they had poured a decade’s worth of effort into through various projects and landscaping, was reduced to ashes in a matter of minutes.
Ritchie recounted the harrowing experience of waking up to the sound of flames consuming their home and barely escaping with their lives, leaving behind all their possessions, including their beloved pet birds that perished in the fire.
Despite the challenges they faced, the community rallied around the Days, offering support, fundraising, and donations to help them through the difficult times. However, their resilience was tested once more when a fire broke out at Johnny’s Motel, caused by a guest’s vehicle catching fire in the parking garage, spreading rapidly to the building’s roof.
While half of the motel remains operational, five units suffered extensive damage and were deemed uninhabitable. The Days, who spent Christmas with their son, are awaiting the opportunity to move into one of the unaffected units at the motel as they continue to rebuild their lives.
Reflecting on the series of unfortunate events, Ritchie expressed determination to stay positive and focus on rebuilding in the coming year, emphasizing the importance of resilience in the face of adversity.