The creator of a GoFundMe page for the owners of a Searchmont home that exploded on Wednesday is grateful for the support they’ve received so far.
Chris Olar set up the page at 7:30 p.m. last night for Kim Benedict and her nephew Dana Benedict, who are Olar’s aunt and cousin, and it has already raised over $22,000.
Kim and Dana lost everything when their home exploded on Dec. 18 due to a leak of propane gas. Unfortunately they didn’t have home insurance, Olar said.
They had propane delivered to their home shortly before the explosion occurred.
“Both work at the ski hill at Searchmont. Dana came home and lit the pilot light but the house was filled with gas and it exploded,” he said.
Dana received serious burns to his face and hands. He was put in a medically-induced coma to help with the pain while he was transported to an intensive-care burn unit in Toronto.
Kim and Dana have worked at the Searchmont Resort ski hill for several years. Kim is the manager of the bunny hill where she helps kids who are learning to ski.
Dana does hill operations and runs the groomer. They have lived in Searchmont their entire lives, Olar said.
“It was Kim’s parents’ house . . . The house is gone, clothes, personal belongings, heirlooms, everything.
“Kim had a bunch of cats - around 10 - and they didn’t make it either,” Olar said, describing the home as a refuge for cats.
Olar is hoping people will contribute to the GoFundMe page to assist Kim and Dana during this difficult time.
“They have to rebuild the house. Every little bit helps. We’re trying to come together as a community and help as much as we can.”
For more information or to make a contribution, visit the GoFundMe page.