The fire on Westside Road (photo courtesy of Andrea Wertman /GoFundMe)

By Liam Verster

GoFundMe

Online fundraiser launched to support family who’s home burned down

Jan 24, 2025 | 10:56 AM

A GoFundMe has been launched to support a family that lost their home in the Okanagan Indian Band reserve.

The fire reportedly broke out at a residence on Westside Road on Monday and totally destroyed the home.

OKIB Fire Department has not responded to a request from Vernon Matters for comment on the cause of the fire.

The residence was a family home was owned by Jim and Judy Bettensby, the grandparents of the GoFundMe organizer, Andrea Wertman, who she said spent “many safe and loving years in it.”

In November of 2024, Wertman’s mother, Shelley, who struggles with physical limitations due to disability, and her sister, Tori, moved into the home.

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However, they only were able to spend a few short months living there before the fire broke out and destroyed the home.

To help Shelley and Tori recover from the loss, Wertman launched the GoFundMe with the intent of raising money to find them new accommodation, clean up the debris, make up for lost wages, and replace what items they can.

The GoFundMe’s goal was set at $10,000, and, as of 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 24, a total of $1,680 had been donated.

Anyone who wishes to support the Relief for Bettensbys Tragedy GoFundMe can do so online here.

The debris left from the house fire on Westside Road (photo courtesy of Andrea Wertman / GoFundMe)