After a fire nearly gutted their North Toronto home, former world champion skater Kurt Browning and his principal ballet dancer wife, Sonia Rodriguez, are slowly picking up the pieces.
“There’s a website that helps you with the next steps after a fire that my wife found online,” said Browning. “Right now.… We’re just taking the steps to get going again.”
The fire started because Browning was using a leaf blower to dry out his Porsche after a hard rain. At one point, he left the leaf blower operating unattended. When he returned the vehicle was in flames. At the time, his youngest son was home with him. “I watch my son play with blocks.… he could have been injured by a car that exploded,” said Browning. “We’re very lucky and unlucky at the same time.”
According to Browning, the community has been very supportive, with one neighbour offering clothing, toys and cooking. “She just walked into our lives and said, ‘I’m going to take care of you guys,’ ” he said.
In the mean time, Browning said they are determining whether the house is salvageable.This is the second house fire for Browning; the first happened approximately seven years ago.