Firefighters say a Hainesville, N.B., man is lucky to be alive after waking up to find his home engulfed in flames.
Derrick Elliott, who lives around the corner from the home, heard his neighbour yelling for help around 1:30 a.m. Monday.
He quickly learned nothing could be done.
“You couldn't get near the place. It was very intense. Trees were on fire, then the garage caught on fire,” said Elliot.
The homeowner was sleeping at the time of the fire. Chief Justin McGuigan of the Millville Fire Department says there were no working smoke detectors in the home.
“He woke up coughing from the smoke, and he said his sense of smell isn't the strongest,” said McGuigan.
The chief says he got out in just time.
“This individual was very, very close to becoming overcome with smoke. He's a very lucky person,” said McGuigan.
Had there been a working smoke detector in the home, McGuigan says fire crews could have been given as much as a 10-minute advantage to fight the fire.
He says the situation could be a lesson for others to ensure their fire detectors are ready for use.
“Fire departments will in many cases give you a smoke detector if you need one,” said McGuigan. “We will do whatever it takes to make sure you're properly protected.”
The homeowner lost everything during the fire. His vehicle was also badly damaged.
“It's a good community, and I daresay, the boy will be helped out,” said Elliott.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Nick Moore.
