Ross Johnson, the owner of RJ Ecosafe Homes, heard about the tragedy and offered to build the family a new home at no cost.

The foundation and walls of the mould- and fire-resistant home went up this past week, thanks to a RJ Ecosafe Homes and volunteer help from the family and community.

"The foundation and basement were up in about six hours," Dick Morrison of RJ Ecosafe Homes, said Monday.

Two of the Dumas sons are also helping with construction, as well as a brother-in-law. The RJ Ecosafe crew has also been training local people to help erect the home.

Other businesses and organizations, like RONA and the Manitoba Government Employees Association, have also kicked in with support, Morrison said.

The new 1,100-square-foot home is being built with mainly steel and a fire-proof floor. It will also be mostly solar-heated. The cost of the home is about $150,000.

"We're just glad to be here doing this for the Dumas family," Morrison said.

The home comes with all prefabricated steel sections. It's put together with nuts and bolts, Dumas said. "It's like a big puzzle."

The four-person crew from RJ Ecosafe Homes has also been enjoying a unique culinary experience. They've been feasting on venison, elk, rabbit and moose served up by Michael Dumas, father of the family. "I've been doing the cooking for them. I do it on an outside fire," said Dumas.

Sandy Bay is located about halfway up the west shore of Lake Manitoba.

RJ Ecosafe Homes is an aboriginal-owned business located at Six Nations Reserve, Ont. It recently opened a Winnipeg office.

bill.redekop@freepress.mb.ca