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Family escapes south end blaze (updated)

Barefooted children ran to neighbours to call 911
2018-01-09 Barrie Honey Crescent house fire SS
Fire fighters at the scene of a house fire on Honey Crescent on Tuesday, Jan 9, 2018. Sue Sgambati/BarrieToday

A fire in an upstairs bedroom of a south end Barrie home sent two children running through the snow in their bare feet to call 911 at a neighbour's house.

Flames broke out on a mattress just before 8:30 a.m. Tuesday morning at the house on Honey Cres.

Dad Patrick and his son and daughter aged 15 and 7 were alerted by the home's smoke detectors. 

"We had breakfast and the fire alarm went off," explained Patrick, who declined to give his surname.  "My daughter went up to her room to check and there were flames on the bed. She said 'Oh my god, there's a fire. We all got out."

The children ran out of the home shouting 'Fire, fire, fire' and scrambled to the house across the street. 

Patrick rescued the family pets - a bearded dragon and a dog - after trying to extinguish the blaze.

"I tried to control it. Put a little bit of water on it but there was no saving it. We just got out. Thankfully all of our neighbours are here. They've already welcomed us into their house. It's a really good street. Good people."

The cause of the fire is not suspicious, according to Deputy Fire Chief Gord Beilby.

"It was a small mattress fire upstairs. Looks like it started with maybe a set of Christmas lights that was strung up in the bedroom. Not suspicious. Minimal damage.  Smoke. Kids were out of the house and okay. Pets are good. No injuries to firefighters or civilians."

Barrie Public Fire and Life Safety/Information Officer Samantha Hoffmann says the fire is a cautionary tale about decorating. 

The string of lights that caught fire were being used to decorate the teenage daughter's bedroom - a popular, but potentially dangerous trend. 

"It was a loft bed and they had string lights decorating the bottom of the mattress under the loft bed. The lights overheated and started the mattress on fire," said Hoffmann. 

"Decorating teen's rooms with lights, it looks beautiful and they don't think of the consequences. The lights weren't designed to be tucked under mattresses or wrapped in tulle." 

The great news is the family had working smoke alarms and escaped unhurt.

"Today's fire drives home absolutely detection and escape planning but you also have to think about prevention," she said. 

The happy ending comes on the heels of a series of tragic, fatal house fires in recent weeks including one Monday in Oshawa where four people were killed.

Patrick expressed his gratitude to Barrie Fire, Police and Special Services but special credit went to his working smoke alarms.

"The fire alarms went off and saved our lives," he said. "Everybody's fine and that's all that matters. Thank you to the Barrie Fire Department. Barrie Police. Barrie Special Services."

"That's critical in any house and any structure, having working smoke alarms. It's early detection and lets you know, allows you to clear the structure. Working smoke alarms are key," said Deputy Chief Beilby. 

Damage is estimated at 'well under $50,000' and was contained to one room, Beilby said. 

Patrick has already contacted his insurance company and clean up will get underway right away.

As for his kids running through snow and slush in their bare feet?

"They're tough kids. They like their bare feet," he smiled.


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Sue Sgambati

About the Author: Sue Sgambati

Sue has had a 30-year career in journalism working for print, radio and TV. She is a proud member of the Barrie community.
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