Police have stepped have patrols in a downtown Maple Ridge neighbourhood where an arson fire destroyed a house early Saturday.
Ridge Meadows RCMP continue to investigate the blaze that tore through the Georgelins’ rented home on Dunbar Street, just north of Dewdney Trunk Road, around 2:45 a.m.
The fire was the second arson in the neighbourhood and the fifth in the downtown core in the past three months.
A police spokesperson said investigators have yet to determined if the fires are linked.
Joanne Georgelin, her daughters Rebecca and Elizabeth are still looking for place to live with their dogs.
The community meanwhile has inundated them with donations ahead of a fundraiser planned Friday (Aug. 9).
Jessie Mitchell who is organizing the event at the Haney Public House still needs gift baskets to be donated for the raffle and other items for the toonie toss.
The comedy night fundraiser for the Georgelin’s takes place Friday at the Haney Public House on Lougheed Highway near 222nd Street. Tickets are $10 and doors open at 6 p.m. Mitchell has 80 tickets for sale and the proceeds from those tickets will go to the Georgelins. To purchase the tickets or donate, calling her at 778-899-9442.
• A trust account has been set up for the family at Westminster Savings credit union on 224th Street, just off Lougheed Highway in Maple Ridge. (Account name: Joanne Georgelin/Account number: 451548214). For more information on upcoming fundraisers, visit Georgelin Family Fundraiser on Facebook.