A house fire in Aldergrove early Wednesday, Jan. 7 morning has left a family of six displaced and grieving the death of 15-year-old Logan Stadnyk.
The fire broke out in the family’s home in the early hours, reported by Langley RCMP at 6:57 a.m., destroying the home and everything inside.
Logan’s father, Lucas Stadnyk, described him as “a bright light” whose presence deeply shaped the family’s daily life.
Logan had just turned 15 on Dec. 31.
Lucas told Black Press Media that Logan, who was “severely autistic” and nonverbal, did not escape.
That morning, Lucas was headed to work leaving around 6:40 a.m. When Lucas was notified of the fire, he rerouted to return back home.
“I tried to get home as fast as possible,” he said. “I was driving a dump truck and I had to back up on the freeway to get to an exit.”
When he arrived back home, smoke was fuming out of the house, he said.
“It felt like I was just there [at the house],” he said.
Lucas said the family believes the fire may have started in Logan’s bedroom.
Lucas said in recent months, they had been seeking additional medical support after Logan began playing with power cords and electrical outlets.
“We believe ultimately that he probably messed with an outlet in the room and caused the fire,” said Lucas.
When the fire began, the rest of the family was inside the home. Lucas said they initially believed Logan was still in his bedroom and tried to reach him.
“We thought he was in his room,” said Lucas.
Because Logan was nonverbal, the family had no way of knowing where he was.
“We were screaming and trying to break the glass into the room and all that — and he wasn’t in there,” he said.
Lucas believes Logan may have hidden in another room.
Langley RCMP said that they are continuing to investigate the cause of the fire alongside Langley Township fire investigators.
The home was being rented from Lucas’s mother and had been in the family for decades. Lucas said he had lived there most of his life.
Emergency services have placed the family in a hotel, but their housing situation remains uncertain. Emergency housing only lasts a few days.
Lucas said they are hoping to eventually purchase a trailer and put it on the property. They would live in for at least a year as they rebuild their home.
“We’re just searching for a place to hang our hat right now,” he said.
Community support has been strong, Lucas said, with messages and offers of help coming from people he has never met, as well as from longtime acquaintances.
Some even offering places for them to stay.
However, the family has four children, some with special needs, which limits where they can safely stay.
A GoFundMe fundraiser has been launched to support the Stadnyk family with funeral and memorial expenses, temporary housing, clothing, food, counselling, and long-term recovery needs. The GoFundMe is titled “Support a Family of Six After Tragic House Fire.”
Creator and family friend of the Stadnyks, Krista Spitters, said the Langley Senior Resources Society, 20605 51B Ave., will also be accepting public donations on behalf of the family. Donations will be accepted during the week of Monday, Jan. 12, to Friday, Jan. 16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The society and family have requested people refrain from dropping off large items such as home furnishings for the time being.
Lucas said as they navigate the loss of their son and the destruction of their home, the family is focused on staying together and protecting their children during the difficult time.
As for a message to the community, Lucas said, “Hug your children tighter.”