Family, friends fundraise for Kinburn senior who lost everything in fire

KINBURN – A senior mother and her son lost everything but the clothes on their back, when escaping a devastating fire last Thursday (Feb. 20) morning in Kinburn.

Karen Runtz and her adult son Jesse lost pretty much everything they owned when her lifelong Loggers Way home burned to the ground.

The fire started at roughly 6 a.m. Thursday morning, and despite local volunteer firefighters arriving on scene from Kinburn’s Ottawa Fire Services (OFS) Station 61 minutes after they received a 911 call, there was little they could do.

“A working fire was declared while still enroute at 6:40 a.m. to dispatch additional resources to the scene,” OFS public information officer Nicholas Defazio said at the time of the fire. “Upon arrival, it was confirmed flames were visible from the exterior and the home was fully involved.”  

While Karen and Jesse escaped the fire with minor injuries, the home was reduced to rubble as well as everything they owned within.

Karen’s brother is well known naturalist Michael Runtz. Karen’s sister-in-law Britta Runtz, who was instrumental in assisting the Willola Beach community during the 2017 flood, is organizing a fundraiser to help support Karen and Jesse.

“In the early morning hours of Thursday my sister-in-law’s house was destroyed by fire,” Britta released in a statement yesterday (Feb. 24). “Karen and her son Jesse escaped with only the clothes on their back. Karen has actively given back to her community, and at this time, she needs help navigating the next months. She is a senior, is ill and requires assistance. She had just finished paying off her mortgage when tragedy struck. Both Karen and her son Jesse have lost everything. We are grateful they made it out and they are recovering from smoke inhalation. Any consideration would be greatly appreciated.”

So far, the fundraiser has raised $7,090 from 69 donations. If you are interested in more information or making a donation to support Karen, click here.

Karen, who is a lifelong community volunteer, was also well known for her annual Christmas lights display at her home and property, and West Carleton Online visited her in 2019.

“Oh my gosh, it started when I was doing the long commute to Ottawa for work,” Runtz, who has lived in Kinburn for 46 years, told West Carleton Online in 2019. “In the winter it was dark and I’m one of those that doesn’t really like winter. It really lifted my spirits when I came home around that last bend and the lights would unfold. It lifted the spirits of my neighbours too.”