Calgary family thanks community for help after townhome destroyed [Video]

One of the Calgary families who lost everything in an October explosion is thanking the community for a holiday season to remember.

Gladys Betonio-Werbisky, her husband Greg and three-year-old son Tatum are in a new home after theirs was destroyed earlier this year.

Fire tore through the Las Americas Villas townhouse complex on Laguna Way N.E. on Oct. 5.

Three two-storey townhomes were destroyed and a fourth was damaged.

The family was away when the explosion happened.

“When the phone rang, I just felt the whole world’s weight fall on our shoulders,” Gladys said.

“It was a really bad nightmare.”

The family was forced to a friend’s home without any possessions, and without quick movement in the insurance process, they realized help was needed.

A family member launched a GoFundMe, and the community started donating items.

Within days, the family felt the weight lift.

“My mom and tons of my mom’s neighbours helped out so much, dropping off clothes,” Greg told CTV News.

“And my fantasy hockey team dropped off tons of …