A woman was sent to hospital for smoke inhalation while the rest of her family escaped unharmed from a house fire in CBS last night.
Emergency crews were called to the scene on Greelytown Road around 10:40 last night.
Homeowner Craig Reeves says the fire started in the basement. He tells VOCM News he heard a “pop,” then one of his 13-year-olds ran up over the stairs yelling “fire!”
The family consisting of two adults and four children escaped with only socks or bare feet. Reeves says it was incredible how quickly the fire spread, taking only about five minutes.
His wife Sherry’s father was living in the basement apartment and also managed to escape, but the family dog, a shihtzu, perished.
Fire investigators are on the scene to determine the cause of the blaze.
Fire Chief Credits Early Alert
CBS Fire Chief John Heffernan credits smoke detectors and an early warning for making all the difference in last night’s fire.
He said crews arrived to find the house alight. They were met by heavy fire conditions including dense smoke and very intense heat.
They quickly set to work knocking down the flames, but not before the house sustained significant damage.
While the cause is not yet known, Heffernan says a number of factors can contribute to the quick spread of a residential fire. That may include building materials, as well as the large presence of synthetic or combustible materials in homes.