A retired couple in Grand Forks, British Columbia, is facing the daunting task of starting over once again, having lost everything in two separate fires in 2025. Ritchie and Rene Day were in their unit at Johnny’s Motel when they were alerted to a fire on December 21, marking the second time they had been displaced in the same year. This incident not only affected them but also forced residents from four other units to evacuate.
Earlier in the year, after the Days’ dream home was destroyed by a fire in September, they had moved into Johnny’s Motel to regroup and handle insurance matters. Their previous home, which they had spent a decade renovating and landscaping, was located prominently in Grand Forks. Ritchie vividly recalls the night of the first fire when they narrowly escaped with just the clothes on their backs and watched helplessly as their house went up in flames, tragically losing their four pet birds in the process.
Following the first fire, the community rallied around the Days, providing support and donations to help them recover. However, their respite at Johnny’s Motel was short-lived as another fire broke out due to a guest’s vehicle igniting in the parking garage, spreading to the building’s roof. Despite the setbacks, Ritchie remains steadfast in her determination to rebuild in the coming year.
While the Days have spent Christmas with their son and are awaiting relocation to a safe unit at Johnny’s, they are grateful for the outpouring of support from the Grand Forks community. Fire Chief Morgan Strohmann confirmed that although half of the motel remains operational, five units sustained severe damage and are deemed unsafe. The Days remain optimistic and resilient in the face of adversity, looking ahead to a fresh start in 2026.