Stone Mills resident severely burned in house fire

A Stone Mills resident suffered severe burns in a fire that also destroyed his home on Friday, Jan. 20, 2023.

According to the Stone Mills Fire Department, two of its stations responded to the structure fire in Croydon, Ontario, overnight between Friday and Saturday. The occupant, Jamie Ellicott, whose 46th birthday was that day, suffered serious burns to a large portion of his body in the blaze.

Ellicott’s cat, Garfield, has also been missing since the fire, and is believed to be alive but lost in the vicinity of the home. Friends, family and animal experts are conducting searches in an attempt to locate the pet.

Friends and family say that Ellicott lost most of his worldly possessions in the fire and are accepting donations on his behalf. “Our dear friend Jamie was severely injured and lost everything in a house fire on the night of his birthday,” a Facebook group set up to support Ellicott and organize the collection of donations said. “We are unsure of what the recovery time will look like for him.”

Ellicott is expected to be hospitalized for several months given the serious nature of his injuries.

“At this time we are looking for clothing donations, men’s size small for clothes/underwear and outerwear, men’s size 8 for shoes and boots,” the group requested.

Donations may be dropped off at 832 Brothlin Crescent, in Kingston. Monetary donations may also be made via GoFundMe at https://www.gofundme.com/f/to-support-jamie-ellicott or sent via Interac email money transfer to Ellicott’s friends, Jeff and Alexis Mccaugherty, at [email protected]