A Chateauguay family says they're overwhelmed by the outpouring of generosity from total strangers who are helping them rebuild after a devastating loss.

On Monday, Jacques Corbeil,Chantal Clement and their two children lost everything when their Chateauguay house of nine years was destroyed by an early-morning fire.

All that's left of their house now is a pile of snow-covered debris.

Clement said she remembers the panic on Monday morning: hearing the alarm, seeing the fire, and running for her seven and 12-year-old sons.

“My son was saying 'Tell me I'm dreaming, tell me I'm dreaming.' I said, 'No you're not dreaming, we have to get out of the house,'” she recalled.

They believe a portable electric heater in the playroom caused the fire.

With no insurance, the family of four was left with nothing.

Things were about to change for them, however, thanks to the generosity of local electrician and Good Samaritan Michel Enault who volunteered to donate his services.

“I said, ‘You know what? I don't know what I'll do for you but at this point you have free electricity and I'm going to try to build your house,”said Enault, who called up friends with building experience, and got others to pitch in.

“I have a lawyer that's free, I have a notary that's free, architect free, I got the permit of the city free, the outside of the house, the roof, the plaster,” he said.

With the help of a Facebook page, volunteers kept coming forward and donations kept pouring in. People have donated furniture, gifts for the children and money to help rebuild the home. So far, more than $30,000 has been raised.

Thanks to the power of social networking, the story has travelled far beyond their Chateauguay neighbourhood.

“We heard yesterday people from Thailand that have some relatives around here heard about the story. They're going to chip in. Some of our friends that moved to Orlando called us, called my mother. It's crazy,” said Corbeil.

Despite their loss, Corbeil and Clement find themselves laughing, smiling and full of gratitude for a community that’s come together to make sure they’re not left out in the cold.

“(It’s) because of all the people around us, because of all the strangers that are reaching out to us. That tells me that I cannot put my head down, I cannot cry, and I cannot give up hope,” said Clement.