River East family of seven escapes house fire

Larry Hobson sifts through the remnants of a fire at his son's River East home on March 20, 2025. (Joseph Bernacki/CTV News Winnipeg)

Amidst the charred remains of household items and clothes, Larry Hobson spots a treasured item he recently bought for his granddaughter.

“There’s her bike there; we just bought that bike last year,” Hobson said.

As he takes stock of what is left of his son’s River East neighbourhood home, he remembers how an ordinary day changed in an instant on Saturday.

He had just dropped off groceries that afternoon when he got a call he will never forget.

“Two hours later, my son called me frantically crying and telling me that their house was on fire and everything was gone,” Hobson said.

The cause of the fire that destroyed Billy Hobson’s family’s home on Saturday evening remains under investigation, but his father said the family believes it started in the basement dryer vent.

Regardless of the cause, he is thankful his son, daughter-in-law, and five grandchildren are all safe.

“My son got all those kids out, and his partner, they got the kids out, went across the street, and he ran to the fire station in his bare feet, which is about 100 meters from here, and they (firemen) were here in minutes,” Hobson said.

He was sad to learn the family did not have tenant’s insurance. It’s an insurance policy he would have gladly paid for, and now he’s urging others to protect themselves.

“You never know when these things are going to happen, and you don’t think they’ll happen to you,” Hobson said.

“This is the prime example of what can happen if you don’t have insurance.”

At Winnipeg Insurance Brokers, staff say renters are reluctant to buy insurance due to the cost.

They say that coverage can protect losses in tragic events like a fire.

“We have policies that are very affordable,” said Kelly Melchor, chief executive officer of Winnipeg Insurance Brokers.

“We’re talking about, you know, $20 a month. If you just think about the peace of mind that $20 a month brings to know that all of your belongings are covered and protected.”

Friends of the family have started a GoFundMe page. While his son looks for a new home, Hobson is reminded of what could have been lost.

A hockey net and three hockey sticks are a few items Hobson was able to recover for his grandson.

“The possessions you can replace; obviously, humans' lives you can’t replace,” Hobson said.

“We’re thanking our lucky ducks and thanking God for the fact that we’re able to continue on and live our lives.”