Local family loses home and dog in Cecil Lake fire

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – Local residents have stepped up to help a family of four who recently lost everything in a house fire.

Julie Braulin, her two kids, and her fiance Bradley, lost their rental home in a fire that occurred in Cecil Lake on February 6th.

In the fire, Bradley also lost his best friend, a golden retriever named Cooper.

A GoFundMe campaign with a goal of $5,000 was started for the Braulin family and has currently raised $500.

Braulin says her landlord reported the fire but says it was out of the Fort St. John Fire Department’s jurisdiction.

“[Our house] It’s in Cecil lake. There were only like six or eight of us on the property to watch it burn,” Braulin said.

She says that her family has found a two-bedroom place to stay in, for now, and that her biggest concern going forward is her kids and what they’ve lost.

“[They’re struggling with] the dog loss, and then myself, and my boys, have gone through trauma with my ex-husband, so it was a huge loss for us,” Braulin said.

She says since the fire, she’s had to travel more to get her kids to and from school and would appreciate any assistance with the cost of fuel.

Those who wish to donate can contribute to the family’s GoFundMe here.