Former 1400 Pacific Ave. resident grateful for help
Zhang lost her home in a fire in September
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 13/11/2021 (1565 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
A Brandon University music student says she is extremely thankful for the help getting back on her feet after the devastating Pacific Avenue apartment building fire in September.
“Many, many people helped me and my daughter, and I really feel so good,” said Jia Zhang, who lost her home in the Sept. 21 fire at 1400 Pacific Ave.
Zhang, who is an international student, credits help from Brandon University School of Music, her professors, her daughter’s daycare, her insurance company and many others, after losing almost everything in the fire. Many of her possessions were damaged by water, so she had to replace most things.
The fire caused approximately $11 million in damage and started after someone carelessly disposed of smoking materials, the Manitoba Office of the Fire Commission said after investigating. There were 48 units in the building and more than 100 people lost their homes.
No one was reported injured in the blaze.
Zhang stayed at a hotel in the immediate aftermath of the fire at Valleyview Condominiums, but has been living in a new apartment for the past month, she said.
Someone bought her a new piano to replace the black lacquered Yamaha piano lost in the fire, which had been a gift from her husband for their daughter’s birthday. She said the new piano helps her memorize pieces of music.
“I feel so excited,” she said about her new piano, which is electronic and lets her quietly practise at night.
“I really, really feel so grateful,” she said. Her daughter also plays the instrument.
A total of 16 Brandon University students were affected by the fire, including several other music students.
Property manager Sam Esler previously told the Sun the future of the building was uncertain. Esler didn’t respond to an interview request by press time.
An evaluation of the building involving architects, engineers and building inspectors was planned to decide on the future of the badly damaged structure.
“They’ll go through the building, they’ll assess every suite and all the walls and what can be saved, what has to be garbage and then from there, they’ll come up [with] options for the owners,” he said in late September.
Zhang also has a grey and red wool blanket, which she was excited to show off. She said a local Brandonite knitted it for her after the fire.
“Things are getting much … better and things are getting back to regular,” she said.
“Everyone knows it was a bad experience, but from this experience, I feel warmth … I don’t have much money, but I feel thankful.
“Before this, I felt I was lonely as I’m an international student and I’m not Canadian, but from this experience, I will not ever feel lonely.”
» dmay@brandonsun.com
» Twitter: @DrewMay_