A local family is expressing gratitude after both their house and business were destroyed by fire last week.
A fire broke out at the home in the 1200-block of 52nd Street in Tsawwassen just before 4 a.m. Sept. 7. Everyone made it out and there were no injuries but the home suffered extensive damage.
The house was also home to Tom and Susan Coutts' chiropractic office, Tsawwassen Chiropractic, which they share with another chiropractor, Dr. Spencer Smid.
After getting over the initial shock of the fire, the couple moved quickly to find a new home for their business, Susan Coutts said last week.
"We were looking at the devastation of the fire the next day," she said when a friend suggested a vacant office space in the Tsawwassen Professional Building. In the span of just a few days, the couple took over the space and, with help from friends, established three office areas and had the operation up and running by Tuesday - just three days after the fire.
"There are so many amazing individuals who we wish to thank for their support," said Susan Coutts. "Without your help, our quick recovery would not have been possible.
"There were lots of friends who dropped everything to help us," she said. "There were colleagues, family, neighbours, friends and even friends of friends."
The couple also has high praise for Delta firefighters.
"They were amazing," Susan Coutts said. "They made sure everyone was out of our house, they kept the fire contained, keeping our neighbours safe, and they went into the house and threw a protective sheet over our files and computers. We will always be grateful."
The community has also come together to help the Coutts' tenants, who rent a portion of the house and lost most of their possessions in the blaze.
Susan Coutts said her son, Austin, put the word out on Facebook and donations for the family quickly started pouring in.
An account has been set up at the Tsawwassen branch of TD Canada Trust. Donations can be made at any TD location to branch number 574 and account number 6356723. Cheques can be made out to "Sandra and/or Phillip Banks in trust."
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, although it does not appear to be suspicious, according to Delta deputy fire chief Ken Sim.
It appears to have started in the bedroom area of the two-storey home, he said.
