A Canadian army veteran is homeless as Christmas approaches after an aggressive fire razed his home to the ground east of Bancroft Monday night.

William Gallacher lost everything in the fire including two of his three dogs.

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He attempted to save his pets but was beaten back by heat and flames and fled the blaze in his bare feet to safety outdoors, a family member told The Intelligencer.

Gallacher was treated at Quinte Health North Hastings Hospital in Bancroft for smoke inhalation.

The Canadian military community and friends and family in Bancroft are rallying behind him with a GoFundMe campaign to raise up to $9,000 to help Gallacher get back on his feet .

In the online post, family member Emma Fransky of Bancroft appealed to the community for donations: “We are

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