A devastating fire has claimed the life of two members of a former Winkler area family.

Four-year-old Daniyela Wiebe and her father, 24-year-old Ryan Raven died in a house fire that broke out in the early morning hours of May 17. The family was living in Carnduff, Saskatchewan.

Mother Destinee Wiebe was rescued from the blaze, though suffered severe injuries. Family friends report she is in stable condition.

Friend Tammy Peters has started a fundraiser for Destinee, explaining the family was without insurance, "two funerals and the cost to start over are more than this young devastated mom can handle," Peters says. "We ask for any donation you can spare and for as many prayers as you can fit into your day."

Peters explains she's taken over all funeral arrangements, as the family remains in a deep state of shock.

"It's kind of all on me, but I'm happy to do this for them because I want to relieve any additional struggles," she says. "It's so traumatic when there are young, innocent children involved."

Daniyela Wiebe. Photos submitted by Tammy Peters

RCMP say the fire started just before 2:00 a.m. While the Carnduff Fire Department was able to extinguish the flames, two individuals were discovered inside.

Peters notes Destinee's back, knees and hands are severely burned but doesn't compare to the emotional pain.

"She just can't believe this is happening... she's very lost right now."

Peters has been a close friend of Destinee and the family who lived for many years in Plum Coulee. She notes the situation is even more dire as the family was living paycheque to paycheque and had no fire insurance or life insurance.

Destinee, the 24-year-old "doesn't have anything... no means of replacing her home... not even the means of covering funeral costs," Peters says.

The remains of the family's house trailer

The gofundme goal of $30,000 would cover funeral costs and housing costs. In the meantime, Peters notes Destinee is staying with her mother who lives in Saskatchewan but grew up with Peters.

"There was just no second thought that I needed to step up and help these people in any ways I could... there's not a lot you can do about their emotional state, but there are other things you can do... to help relieve them of financial burdens."

As of Tuesday, the gofundme campaign had raised nearly $7,000. However, Peters says along with monetary donations, prayer is just as needed.

"I don't want anyone to feel obligated to donate. Prayer does a whole lot."