Lucky to be alive

Chief Fire Prevention Officer Randy Vezina surveys the damage of an early morning fire on Feronia Road.

North Bay Fire Department crews were called to an early morning fire that has left one family homeless

Chief Fire Prevention Officer Randy Vezina says the call came in at 5:11 am and the home was fully involved when they arrived.

“14 firefighters from two stations responded to a call at 221 Feronia Road, upon arrival the home as well as the dethatched garage was fully involved,” he explains.

“At this time the flames from the front were ripping through so strong that they could not enter the building, so the crews mounted a defensive attack.”

“They had a hose stream on the blaze and eventually knocked it down.”

Vezina says the circumstances that led to the misfortune are a hundred percent avoidable and that the occupants are lucky to be alive.

“What we have here is, and confirmed by the resident Jason Stanley, 32, is that he and his girlfriend arrived home after a night of celebration, he then wanted something to eat and put a pot on the stove with a significant amount of oil on high.”

“He then sat on the couch to wait for the oil to reach cooking temperature, but fell asleep. When he awoke his wooden cupboards were fully engaged.”

Vezina says the flames were not only at the cupboards but they were rolling across the ceiling and at that point the couple evacuated to the neighbours.

“The male and female knocked on the neighbour’s door advising them that their house was on fire.”

“An ambulance was dispatched and the male was taken to the North Bay General Hospital where he was treated and discharged. He suffered severe burns to his right arm, hand and right foot,” says Vezina.

The home, detached garage and its contents, as well as one car are a complete loss.

“Damages are approximately $135,000 and he has no insurance.”

Vezina says the situation is far too common and people only need to make a few investments to avoid this kind of tragedy.

“If are going to cook with grease buy a CSA approved deep fryer.”

“They only allow the oil to reach cooking temperature and never allow it to reach its auto ignition temperature,” he says.

He also cautions that if a fire in a pot is encountered DO NOT grab the handle instead place the lid or something like a cookie sheet that is non-combustible over the pot and allow it to extinguish itself and cool down.

“The handle is as hot as the oil if not hotter. By the time you have lifted the pot off the element you feel the pain of the burn and in turn drop the pot.”

“Now instead of having a contained fire you have further advanced the fire and now have severe burns.”

Vezina also endorses purchasing a $45 ABC dry chemical extinguisher.

“They work and they are valuable.”

“We need to learn from this man’s tragedy because this is typical.”

“And apartment and house dwellers have to have insurance so you can have half a chance to get your life back in order … It is necessary,” he adds.