It was a fire that sent one to hospital, gutted a business, and took everything from a travelling U.K. couple.
“We saw the smoke and we ran straight up to it and saw that the fire was happening,” said Jessica Choules. “I just felt numb, like what do we do now?”
Choules and Robert Pearce came to B.C. from England in October 2019 on a two-year visa. The two stayed in Revelstoke, skiing, travelling, working and living out of their van – all while saving up enough for their big cross-country trip.
Before they could leave, however, the COVID-19 pandemic began and the world went into lockdown, trapping them in Revelstoke. However, six weeks ago, after restrictions loosened, the couple began their journey.
They left Revelstoke, drove down to Vancouver, then made their way over to Vancouver Island. Choules and Pearce worked their way down from the top of the Island, visiting places like Campbell River and Esquimalt Lagoon before their van broke down near View Royal during the September long weekend.
The van was towed to the Big O Tires in View Royal for repairs, but mechanics weren’t able to work on it until the Tuesday after the statutory holiday.
“We helped the guys roll it in, watched it get lifted up on the hoist,” said Pearce. “We actually jumped on the bus to go get another coffee and just have a wander around. Came back 45 minutes later to the whole thing erupted.”
Mechanics had been working on their van that afternoon when somehow, it caught fire. Fire crews from View Royal, Colwood and Langford responded to the call and an employee was taken to hospital for leg burns.
Investigators said Tuesday the blaze was sparked during the replacement of the van’s fuel pump.
READ MORE: One in hospital as firefighters battle blaze at Big O Tires in View Royal
Pearce and Choules watched as the flames engulfed all their belongings, including their bed, cameras, drones, dirt bikes, laptop and SD cards containing priceless photographs of their travels.
“I didn’t even own a pair of shoes, I was in flip flops,” Pearce said. “And you come back and you’re like, I don’t even own a pair of shoes now.”
But these things can be replaced, Pearce added.
It’s the sentimental items that the couple is going to miss, like a stuffed penguin they bought in south Australia four years ago.
“To other people, it’s a stuffed penguin,” said Pearce. “But to me and Jess, that’s a whole chapter of our lives.”
Courtesy: Jessica Choules
All they had left were the clothes on their backs, their phones and wallets. With nowhere to stay and no one to call, the couple felt lost.
“Then this lovely family, mum, approached us and she’s honestly been our angel, I would say,” said Choules.
The woman, Ginger Halbert, had seen the fire and wanted to help them out. So she offered them a place to stay and started a GoFundMe to help them get back on their feet. Four days later, the fundraiser has already gathered more than $18,000.
“It’s just made us feel so warm in such a dark time when you feel like you’ve lost everything,” said Choules. “People do give you hope and that’s what brings your mood up.”
It seems now their trip of a lifetime may be back in sight, all thanks to the community on Vancouver Island.
“[It’s like] we actually don’t want to leave now,” Pearce said, smiling. “How can you when you’ve got a community spirit like this?”
Jasmine Bala
