By Kyla Corpuz

FORT ST. JOHN – After one family lost nearly everything to a house fire, a family friend and North Peace Secondary School are helping to rebuild some of the pieces.

The fire took the home of NPSS graduating student Brooke Copeland, where most of her family’s belongings were destroyed. 

“The tragedy is one difficult in any time but it is compounded by how close this event occurred to Brooke’s graduation,” reads a letter by NPSS vice principal Craig Brownlee.

The family friend, who asked not to be named, started the initiative to raise donations for the soon-to-be graduate.

“I went through two fires myself when I was younger, and I thought it would be a good idea to try and help these folks out,” she said, adding the money will be used to buy things for Brooke’s graduation that are not “easily replaceable”.

“To give her a better graduation, like help her out with accessories, things that she needs. Most kids are going to bring a camera … to graduation for their pictures, so possibly get her a camera and try and replace her graduation ring that she lost in the fire,” she said. “That’s what I’m trying to work towards.”

While the family deals with the repercussions of the incident, their friend said, “They’re very appreciated for it, they’re happy that I’m doing it for Brooke.”

NPSS is also supportive of the fundraiser. 

“Friends of her family are looking to gain any donations that help Brooke enjoy a memorable graduation at this time,” states Brownlee.

Donations can be dropped of at NPSS or can be arranged for pick up by Rhonda Gray at 250-787-6811.  

On Jun. 8 at approximately 4 a.m. the Copeland residence in Rose Prairie was engulfed in flames. According to police nobody was in the house at the time of the fire, and the inferno already spread throughout the house by the time Fort St. John RCMP arrived. 

The house was located outside fire protection area, so there was no fire department in attendance. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time but according to police it appears not to be suspicious.