LETHBRIDGE, AB – A fire on the west side of Lethbridge destroyed a home Sunday afternoon (Mar. 28).

Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services responded to the residential blaze along Trent Road West. Firefighters say heavy winds made the operation challenging, but crews were able to prevent the spread to any adjacent property.

The home was a total loss with damage estimated at $300,000. An update from emergency services Tuesday morning (Mar. 30) states that the fire was accidental in nature, but an exact cause was not detailed.

The Red Cross is supporting the impacted family, and a GoFundMe campaign has also been started to raise $5,000.

The fundraiser page, started by Jason and Jase Milne, says Lovejoy and Gary Klassen, along with their two young kids, were able to escape safely, but they didn’t have time to save any of their belongings. The Milnes are hoping the money will help alleviate some of the difficulties the Klassen family is facing as they try to move on and rebuild their lives.