Arko Ypma's Apartment Fire

 This page is being set up for Arko Ypma, by his daughter Suzanne and Son in Law Doug.  Arko suffered 2nd and 3rd degree burns to his hands after an apartment fire.  Arko who is completely blind was vaccuming his apartment on December 28th and while doing so the  vacuum caught fire.  Arko feeling his hands burning instinctively tried to get the vacuum away from himself, unfortunately, not being able to see he did not realize that the curtains and dog bed had already caught fire and it was spreading.  Trooper, his service dog, who was out on the balcony had to escape through the flames to safety.  Trooper upon getting himself and Arko out of the apartment ran to a neighbour's door and tried to alert them of the danger.  Arko made his way outside and doused his hands in a snowbank.  Below is a story from CTV London News:CTV News Story on Arko's Fire

Arko is healing from his burns, however, the concern now is if he has lost any feeling in his fingers.  What many sighted people do not realize is for Arko his fingers are his eyes.  Without sight, Arko needs his fingers to "see" where things are, to get around, and to do everything.  Even something so simple as buttoning a shirt, Arko needs to feel the button to know where it is, he can not simply look and see.


Trooper, his service dog, has also suffered injuries in this fire.  As we learned, for dogs burns are not the biggest concern but the smoke.  Trooper has damage to his eyes and requiring daily eye drops, also, for dogs smoke damages their lungs and can cause Pneumonia.  Trooper has to take antibotics to help prevent this from happening.  Trooper is also showing further signs of effects of this fire through his blood tests.


If the injuries were not bad enough, Arko and Trooper have lost all their possessions in this fire and Arko does not have insurance.  All of Arkos clothing, furniture, personal items, braille books, computer, and food were lost.  All Arko and Trooper have left is what they ran out of the fire with.  Although the fire was contained to the one room, the toxic smoke from the fire has filled every room and every object in the apartment with a layer of black toxic ash.  For example, all the clothing that was exposed to this ash is now having to be thrown out because you might be able to get rid of the awful melted plastic smell after 6 or more washings, but the discolouration from the ash is impossible to get rid of. 



Arko and Trooper are now homeless for 4-6 months as the apartment needs to be completely gutted. 

All the money raised will be used by Arko and Trooper to pay for all the vet bills, clothing, food, household items and assistive devices that were lost in the fire.

We thank everyone who can donate to help Arko, we also thank all who have offered emotional support.