The community support from Fort MacMurray residents after a fatal pesticide exposure has been overwhelming. Members of the local community have come together to raise funds and help the affected family in any way possible. An 8 month old infant died from the exposure, two other children are still in critical condition, and two children and the mother of the infant were recently released from the hospital in Fort MacMurray after being treated and monitored. The insecticide involved was phosphine, and it was used to get rid of bedbugs in the apartment where the family lived. It is not yet known how the chemical was spilled or whether the exposure happened in another way. One fundraiser at the Markaz-Ul-Islam mosque during prayers raised around $7,000 for the family, and a GoFundMe campaign account raised more than $15,000 in a single day.

The fatal pesticide exposure has resulted in a lot of community support, and it has also helped to educate residents in the area about the dangers of chemicals in the home. Mosque spokesperson Wajeehullah Arain said “Everyone’s saddened by the situation, it’s a tragedy that has touched everyone across the community, not just the Muslim community, but the Fort McMurray community at large. We feel an outpouring from everyone and it’s really brought the whole community of Fort McMurray together.” Arain also offered prayers for the family and was glad to hear that the mother and two of the children were recently released from the hospital. “It’s good to hear, and I think it’s also extremely important for the mother to see and the siblings to see the other two as they’re still recovering. Our prayers are with them, it’s extremely challenging.”