Family grateful for support as Saskatoon man recovers after apartment fire

A Saskatoon man is recovering in an Edmonton hospital burn unit after he was injured ina fire in his apartment.

Zakk Grant, 30, was airlifted to Edmonton after the April 7 fire in his basement suite on 33rd Street West in Saskatoon.

Zakkhasthird-degree burns over 40 per cent of his body, his brother Robert Grant said.

"It's going to be months of painful recovery for him," Robert said in an interview with CBC News.

Robert said his family doesn't really know what happened. Zakk had texted their mom that there was a fire, so they know he was conscious at some point, but they think he mighthave gotten trapped somehow.

Their mom has travelled to Edmonton to be at Zakk's bedside, which means she has to take time off work and find a place to stay. While she was able to stay at the hospital residence for a week, she doesn't know how long she'll have to be in the city, Robert said.

WATCH | Zakk Grant's brother says he'll need help during long, painful recovery:

Saskatoon man in Edmonton burn unit will need help during long, painful recovery

7 months ago

Duration 1:31

Zakk Grant, 30, was airlifted to Edmonton after the April 7 fire in his Saskatoon basement suite. Grant, who has autism and normally lives alone, has third-degree burns over 40 per cent of his body. His brother says he'll need a lot of support.

Robert started aGoFundMecampaign to help pay for the costsandsaid the response has been heartwarming.

"We're extremely grateful for everybody, even just sharing it or saying that they hope he pulls through. It all means a lot," he said.

Any extra money that's raised will go towardhelping Zakk in his recovery and replacinghis belongings, which were all destroyed in the fire or damaged by water, Robert said.

"Right now, we don't know what life will look like for him afterwards," he said.

The other 26 occupied units in apartment building were evacuated due to the fire, according to the Saskatoon Fire Department.

The fire damaged pipes in the basement, so utilities couldn't be properly restored right away. Residents were housed in a hotel overnight before returning the next day.

The cause of the fire remains undetermined, a fire department spokesperson said on Friday.