Residents’ road to healing and housing ‘taken away for now’ by fire

A fire Tuesday night in Waterloo has resulted in $1 million worth of damage, along with trauma that can’t be given a price tag.

Fire crews were called out to the Inn of Waterloo just before 7:30 p.m., and found heavy smoke on arrival.

The fire happened in part of the hotel that’s being used as shelter space for the region’s homeless population.

“Thanks to our community partners, the staff and shelter staff, and the hotel staff, and emergency responders, we were able to move everyone safely,” said John Neufeld, Executive Director for the House of Friendship. 

One person was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation, and about 130 residents had to be moved to a hotel in Guelph.

Those in isolation and quarantine were moved to St. Mary’s General Hospital.

“Obviously, this is devestating for the individuals there,” said Neufeld. “Many of them were on the route for healing, this was going to be their path to housing, and so that’s been taken away temporarily right now. They’re retraumatized. So, that’s what we’re kind of working on right now, is to do what we can do to rally around them, and we’re really appreciating the community support that we’re seeing around that.”

Neufeld said it’s too early to know what will happen next, but it’s crucial to note that an event like this only compounds with past challenges.

“They’ve already been through a lot of trauma in their whole life, with homelessness, and now they’ve been displaced again. It’s a very trying time and we’re trying to do everything we can to support them.”

For now, Neufeld is just asking the community to understand the devastation for those affected. As soon as they know how the community can offer concrete support, they will inform the public.

Police say the cause of the fire is believed to be accidental.