When Rick Powelson’s suite in a Port McNeill home caught fire in the early hours of Christmas Eve, he made sure everyone was out and safe before trying to douse the flames with a garden hose.
The 56-year-old ended up with significant injuries that put him in the intensive-care unit at Royal Jubilee Hospital.
But his efforts after fire broke out at 4:30 a.m. are being praised by Port McNeill Mayor James Furney.
Furney said he and Rick went through school together in Port McNeill, and described him as “a very well-loved man in this town.”
“It sounds like he put in a valiant effort rousting all the other dwellers in the home,” he said. “There were two other families in there.”
A GoFundMe page launched by Rick’s sister, Kathy Powelson, had raised $8,700 of its $10,000 goal by Wednesday afternoon, and other donations have come in as well, she said.
Kathy was in town for Christmas when the fire occurred but is now back home in Maple Ridge.
She said her brother had no insurance and lost “absolutely everything” in his suite, which is where the fire damage is concentrated.
“People have been incredibly generous,” she said. “Just to know that there’s this whole community that is rallying around him is so heart-warming in the face of all that’s happening in our world right now. To see that level of kindness and humanity is really gratifying.”
Rick was airlifted to Victoria for treatment soon after Port McNeill Fire Rescue put out the blaze, and was initially in an induced coma with second‑degree burns over 10 per cent of his body.
“His esophagus was burned, as well, and there was concern about his lungs,” Kathy said.
His recovery has been steady, she said — he has moved from intensive care to the burn unit and could be released soon.
“I think he’s going to be able to go home later this week, so he is doing really well,” she said. “He’s off all of his machines.”
She said no skin grafts will be required.
Furney said he is “thrilled” to hear fundraising for Rick has been a success in the town of about 3,000, although it comes as no surprise.
“We’re very tight-knit,” he said. “Rick’s father and grandfather were both heads of the fire department here over their generations.”
One piece of good news is that Rick’s cat, Kevin, was later found alive — although Kathy is not sure of the fate of two other cats from the home.
Kathy said Kevin is a “massive” cat — as big as a medium-sized dog — and has a close bond with her brother.
“It’s just been the two of them forever.”
The cause of the fire is so far undetermined.
The GoFundMe page is at gofundme.com/f/ngyv5-help-rick-get-back-on-his-feet.
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