The Grande Prairie Fire Department has recognized a local family for their help in fighting a Mission Heights house fire last month.
Casey R. Cailloux says he came home around 10:30 p.m. on March 19th, and saw a fire on the deck of his neighbour’s house.
“[I] didn’t even park my truck; I just left it on the road, ran in the house, almost broke the key off in the doorknob, and then yelled, ‘fire’ and everything. My mom frantically called 9-1-1. My dad and I went over to the house and banged on the door and alerted everybody.”
They were also able to knock down the fire with extinguishers, before the fire department arrived and got it under control.
Fire captain Ward Redwood says the home could have been a write off if not for their efforts, and adds that their quick thinking may have saved the lives of the two people at home.
“There would be no smoke alarm running when we got there seven minutes later; it probably wasn’t even in the house yet. When it burns up the side and takes a window out – which it will do – then it gets inside… then they get alerted.”
Judy Cailloux says she’s proud of her son’s instincts to protect a neighbour he barely knew.
“His reaction was perfect. He ran in the house, and he didn’t holler, ‘fire!’; he said, ‘call the fire department.” I grabbed the phone and his dad ran with him across the road. So they proceeded before I even was probably through to 9-1-1.”
The family received a certificate of recognition at a ceremony at the Pete Eager station, as well as a tour of the hall from the same members who responded to the call that night.