SUMMERSIDE - The Canadian Red Cross and the Canadian Disaster Animal Response Team have come to the aid of a western P.E.I. couple who lost their retirement home and most of their belongings to fire.
Alan and Dianne Weir retired to Profits Corner from New Brunswick in March and started up a hobby farm.
A fire broke out in their home Sunday while the couple was out tending to their farm animals. Their house was destroyed.
Both home owners were briefly treated at hospital on Sunday for smoke inhalation.
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The Canadian Red Cross reports that Red Cross volunteers met with the couple on Monday and arranged for emergency purchases of such items as food and winter clothing.
The couple was provided temporary lodging with relatives and has since obtained temporary use of a nearby home.
The Red Cross also reports that the couple has received help from the Canadian Disaster Animal Response Team in caring for some of their farm animals.
Three West Prince fire departments responded to the emergency call early Sunday afternoon, but the fire was already too far advanced to save the home.