Smoke detector saves one life in Greenwood Road blaze

Whitewater department dispatches five stations

Posted By SEAN CHASE SCHASE@THEDAILYOBSERVER.CA

Updated 3 months ago

A smoke detector saved a homeowner's life after fire raced through his home east of Pembroke early Monday morning.

Firefighters from Whitewater Region brought the spectacular blaze under control within an hour.

The single occupant of the 39-year-old home on Greenwood Road escaped after hearing the buzzing of a smoke detector shortly before 3 a. m.

Watching as the fiery blaze engulfed the brick home, Whitewater fire chief Wayne Heubner said it appears the fire started in the basement. After smelling smoke, the owner, who was not identified, ran down there only to see flames crawling up the wall.

"There would have been a fatality here," said Chief Heubner. "The detector saved his life."

Around 20 firefighters were called out from the Beachburg and Westmeath stations. Pumpers and tankers were also quickly called from the Haley's Station, Cobden and Foresters Falls stations.

So great was the fire that it created a glow that could be seen as far north as Paul Martin Drive in Pembroke. Ontario Provincial Police closed Greenwood between Cemetery Road and Highway 17 for several hours until the fire was extinguished.

Fire officials were concerned that sparks and leaping flames could ignite the adjacent forest and a barn 150 feet from the house. An Ontario Hydro crew was called in to shut off the power after firefighters saw that power lines leading to the house were arcing.

The homeowner had attempted to fight the fire before calling 911, said Chief Heubner. He added that in the event of a fire no one should try and put it out. Evacuating the burning building should be the first priority because if power is cut, the ability to make that emergency phone call is lost, he explained.

"The toxic fumes could have knocked him out within minutes and we would have had a fatality," said Chief Heubner. "Save yourself first. That minute or two could mean your life."

Initial damages are estimated at over $200,000. The department is continuing its investigation but will not be calling the Ontario Fire Marshal's Office.

Sean Chase is a Daily Observer reporter