Fire victims in Timmins say thieves have stolen their personal belongings
A month after an accidental fire forced more than 100 people out of their apartments at the Empire Complex in Timmins, residents are now dealing with being victims of theft.
Last month, they were forced to flee their apartments due to a fire and grabbed whatever they could, but had to leave much behind.
Since the fire, they said they haven’t been permitted back inside their units and have only been allowed to sift through what’s been brought out to them.
Sadly, they said, thieves have been breaking into the building and helping themselves to their belongings.
“I had three rifles stolen I was leaving for my kids,” said Lanny Reeb, a tenant of the Empire Complex.
“In the barrel of one of the rifles I had about (a signficiant amount) of gold saved -- shoved down the barrel — necklace and chains and all kinds of stuff. Thieves got in and took that.”
Reeb’s daughter Lisa, is his caregiver and lives in a neighbouring apartment.
Residents of the Empire Complex in Timmins shared their sadness and frustration after their property was stolen from their apartments when they were forced to evacuate due to a fire on March 23, 2024. (Lydia Chubak/CTV News Northern Ontario)
“His life is in that apartment and people went in there and took stuff that belonged to him,” she said.
“How can people steal from other people when they're under duress and everything else like this has been killing him since that happened? … If I lose my dad over this, it's going to be hell to pay.”
Winmar Restoration officials from Oshawa said windows have been boarded up, security cameras have been installed and two security officers have been hired to patrol the area. Still, thieves have found their way inside and Timmins police have received numerous complaints.
“Around 11 thefts just in the last 14 days alone,” said Sgt. Jonathan Minard of the Timmins Police Service.
Everything valuable is gone
“So we have seen an increase in property crimes and thefts at that location.”
One theft victim is a breast cancer patient who underwent a double mastectomy days before the fire.
“Everything that was valuable is gone,” said Linda Hann.
“So all my jewelry is gone, my laptops are gone, my PlayStations are gone. Like, you know, my mom was here. She's 72 years old -- she was my caregiver. You know, they stole her tablet. They stole all my money.”
Lisa Reeb is wondering where they can go for help.
“Who do we talk to about this? Who's responsible for all this?” she asked.
Around 50 people continue to live at the Ramada Inn until they can find new dwellings. They said they are grateful for all the help they’ve received from Cochrane District Social Services Administration Board, the City of Timmins, local businesses and residents.
o Download our app to get local alerts on your device
o Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
But they said they are in need of a resolution. And they want to be allowed back inside one last time.
“A lot of people (ran) out quickly and didn't get that” last look, said David Hopkins, another resident.
“It might help a lot of people with their emotional states.”
Winmar officials told CTV News that they are working hard to save the building.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING NEWS 'A horrible way to start the summer': 3 killed in serious boat crash on lake north of Kingston, Ont.
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
Walmart, Costco refusing to sign grocery code of conduct 'untenable': industry minister
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says it's 'untenable' for 'smaller players' like Walmart and Costco to delay signing on to the government- and industry-led grocery code of conduct, now that industry giant Loblaw has agreed to do so.
Fall River residents allowed to return after suspicious package deemed no threat to the public: N.S. RCMP
The Nova Scotia RCMP had some Fall River residents evacuate their homes for a number of hours to investigate a suspicious package which appeared on someone’s doorstep.
French security forces work to regain control of airport highway in violence-scorched New Caledonia
Using armoured vehicles and backhoes to shove aside charred barricades, French security forces worked Sunday to retake control of the highway to the international airport in violence-scorched New Caledonia, shuttered because of deadly unrest wracking the French Pacific archipelago where indigenous people have long sought independence from France.
The secret Italian lakes that most tourists don't know about
Italy has dozens of secret smaller lakes that boast superb scenery, unknown to mass tourism, where locals get together on day trips and enjoy picnics.
Signs of Alzheimer’s were everywhere. Then his brain improved
Blood biomarkers of telltale signs of early Alzheimer’s disease in the brain of his patient, 55-year-old entrepreneur Simon Nicholls, had all but disappeared in a mere 14 months.
VIDEO Born without front legs, this dog has been inspiring the world for 3 years: Dresden farm owner
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.
Canadian immigration asks medical worker fleeing Gaza if he treated Hamas fighters
Lawyers are questioning Canada’s approach to screening visa applications for people in Gaza with extended family in Canada after one applicant, a medical worker, was asked whether he had treated members of Hamas.
Helicopter carrying Iran's hard-line president apparently crashes in foggy, mountainous region
A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the country's foreign minister and other officials apparently crashed in the mountainous northwest reaches of Iran on Sunday, sparking a massive rescue operation in a fog-shrouded forest as the public was urged to pray.