Devastating fire prompts local businesses to step up and help out

The business community has stepped up to the plate, following a devastating fire in downtown Steinbach. 

Sharynn Friesen from 1st Choice Convenience Store says they heard news of the fire while they were on their way home from the lake Sunday afternoon. 

“We saw the seriousness of the situation and we realized those guys have got to eat and since we ourselves had a fire back in 2002, we realized how terribly important it was to just be a part of the community and how much we realized later, we appreciate our firefighters so much and they saved our business and I just wanted to do something for them in return.” 

Friesen says they got home and texted a few friends on the fire department to see if they were hungry. She notes “they said they would love something to eat and something to drink so we whipped back to our store and luckily we had enough supplies over the weekend that I could whip up sandwiches for them so I was pretty thankful about that.” 

Friesen says they just wanted to help out in whatever way they could.  

The fire itself was first reported at Best West Pet Foods, and quickly spread to the whole strip mall on the corner of Friesen Avenue and Main Street.  

The building was home to six businesses including Janzen's Paint and Decorating, Best West Pet Foods, H & R Block, Investia Financial Services, Liberty Counselling Centre and Steinbach's Flooring Canada. The building is considered a total loss. 

During the fire, Damian Penner from Rocco's Pizzeria says his building still had electricity while many others were cut off so he reached out with an offer. 

“If you keep your coolers closed, you are good for a few hours but you have to be so careful with your temperatures. So yeah, we just wanted to make sure that if there were any businesses that were going to have the power out or needed cooler or freezer space, that we would be able to accommodate them.” 

Penner says his heart goes out to those that lost their place of work. “How do you go to sleep? And, when you wake up, what you do, and what are your emotions, and where are you going?” 

Meanwhile, Christine Beaumont, the President of the Steinbach Chamber of Commerce, says it is great to see the business community step up. 

“It gives me a lot of pride to be part of a business community that shows such generosity between members. It is really nice to hear that those things are happening.” 

She notes "I would ask for the public's patience and kindness because it will take some time as business owners and businesses pick up the pieces from where they have been left." On behalf of the chamber, she says "we would like to thank the fire departments that battled the blaze and then protected those other surrounding businesses."

Damian Penner adds “The biggest thing is, everyone is safe. Businesses can be rebuilt and you have your insurances and I hope this is a case of the phoenix emerging from the fire and I just want to give them hope that something big and something better can come from this.”