Petrolia residents have come to the aid of a young Petrolia family whose family was devastated by fire.

On the weekend, the Blevins were out running errands and had stopped to watch the Santa Claus parade when Brian received a call from the OPP saying his house was on fire.

Blevins, his wife Andrea and their four children all under the age of seven are staying with friends in Sarnia now as they try to figure out where they will live, hopefully in time to be settled by Christmas.

Petrolia Councilor Joel Field, seen here with his daughter Hannah, says calls of concern started flowing into town hall Monday. By late in the day, residents were being told to bring any donations, including cash and cheques, to the administration office or the Oil Heritage District Community Centre. By late Tuesday, Fields told The Independent there were so many donations, they were being moved to a storage area until the Blevins are settled.

Field adds people who would like to help the family out can donate to the Blevin Family Trust Fund at Scotiabank Account number 80952 01747 18.