Community rallies around tenants affected by Charred restaurant fire

Following a devastating fire at Hamilton’s Charred Rotisserie House, the community has rallied around some of the tenants of the apartments above the restaurant who lost their homes last Thursday.

Wynne Baker moved into the building on James Street North just two weeks ago, but lost her home after a fire tore through the restaurant below.

Baker works at city hall and wasn’t home when the blaze broke out. She says she initially got the news from a neighbour asking if she got out safe, but it was her partner Zack and mini schnauzer Pepper who were inside.

“So I called him six times, no answer, no answer. I work at city hall so I just took off and started running.” she said.

She says though both escaped safely, it has had an undeniable impact on Pepper.

WATCH MORE: Tenants displaced after massive fire in Hamilton’s Charred restaurant, apartments

“Everyone is fine, my dog is really freaked out and she wouldn’t leave me alone now she’s glued to my side. I have her at my parents house right now.”

Wynne’s mother, Karen Stolee, set up a GoFundMe for her daughter and Zack because their renters insurance hadn’t been set up yet.

“It was top of the to-do list but I just hadn’t gotten there yet and I never thought in a million years that two weeks into moving in that a fire would destroy everything.” said Wynne.

The goal was to raise $5,000, a benchmark they have already surpassed.

“Everyone is sharing our GoFundMe… it’s really hard for yourself to throw a pity party when so many people are just wrapping their arms around you.”

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Baker also shared some news about her downstairs neighbour’s cat who was trapped inside for more than two hours.

She says that cat survived and is currently in emergency vet care in Niagara. The cat has spent two nights there thus far and is still being monitored.

An additional GoFundMe has been set up by the cat’s owners to cover the vet bills just one day ago and have already raised over $8,500.

“I’m very new to this neighbourhood but I already feel like it’s home and I’m very sad that it’s gonna be awhile before I come back.”

One of the owners of the building says the incident has left him devastated and that the building will remain closed for a while as crews continue to investigate what happened.