Gladu has no regrets as federal funding starts to trickle into Sarnia-Lambton
Young Oil Springs family searching for housing after fire destroyed their home
December 2, 2025
Heather Wright/The Independent
A family of six is searching has lost everying after a house fire in Oil Springs.
The South Enniskillen/Oil Springs fire department was called to James Street in the village Sunday around 7 pm after residents noticed smoke.
Chief Mike Cumming said the family was not home at the time and no one was injured. However the house is a total loss, estimating around $500,000.
Cumming says the fire started in the furnace area, although the exact cause is not known. The fire burned all the way into the attic. “The floor joists were burning so we couldn’t go in,” he said.
The 18 Oil Springs firefighters and members of the Dawn-Euphemia department were on scene until 3:30 Sunday morning. Cumming said an excavator was brought in to knock down the stubborn fire.
Neighbours tracked down the owners, Cornelius and Agatha Friesen, and they arrived at the scene to watch firefighters work to control the blaze. The couple stayed with neighbours overnight.
The Friesens and their four children, ages three to 10, are part of the John Knox Christian School community. Principal Marnie Lisson says friends of the couple are coordinating help and donations through the online site GiveSendGo with the Friesen Hope Fund. Lisson says their immediate needs aren’t known yet until they have a place to live.
“This is a devastating loss to both them and their four children… We desire to be the hands and feet of Jesus to this family in their time of need,” the organizers write online adding any money raised on this platform will be used towards rental costs, clothing and feeding their family, Christian education, and building and furnishing a new home.
People in Oil Springs reached out to the United Church offering items for the family as well. Lisson says it is wonderful to see the community, family and friends rally around the family. “There is so much thankfulness how beyond the school and beyond Oil Springs, people are reaching out to help,” says Lisson.
The online Friesen Hope Fund can be found here:
NEXT
Dresden high school won’t be closed says board
PREVIOUS
Two people hospitalized after crash at Confederation and Forest Road
Front Page
Gladu has no regrets as federal funding starts to trickle into Sarnia-Lambton
August 4, 2026
Cathy Dobson/Local Journalism Initiative Former Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu says the death threats and harassment she received after crossing the floor and joining the Liberals in April are dissipating. And more federal dollars have started flowing to her Sarnia-Lambton-Bkejwanong riding, she said while speaking to reporters Tuesday. An estimated 75 per cent of people in contact with her are very
Read More
Front Page
Mischief charges laid after RV sale near Dresden goes bad
August 4, 2026
The Independent A Wallaceburg man is facing charges after losing his cool while trying to buy an RV from a Tramway Road resident. Chatham-Kent Police were called to the home outside of Dresden after 3 pm July 31. Police found a man had come to the home to buy an RV. While he was there, the man was angry and
Read More
Front Page
Copper wiring stolen from St. Clair Township business
August 4, 2026
The Independent Lambton OPP say $8,000 of copper wiring was taken from a St. Clair Township business. OPP say sometime between 5 pm July 27 and 8 am July 28, someone went into a business on Rokeby Line by cutting a hole in the perimeter fence. The thieves stole copper wiring and lightening rods valued at about $8,000. Police are
Read More
Front Page
Interim chief tight-lipped about criminal probe stemming from Davis workplace harassment investigation
August 4, 2026
Heather Wright/The Independent The Sarnia Interim Police Chief and board won’t be releasing further information about news the workplace investigation into suspended Chief Derek Davis is now a criminal matter. Interim Chief Mike Federico says that information, which became public after the Law Enforcement Complaints Agency released released the details in a letter, is not normally shared with the public.
Read More