Boys save townhouse complex

by Jason Sanders | August 14, 2008 at 08:37 am | 56 views | add comment | 0 recommendations

Six townhouse units caught fire Wednesday, but were saved thanks to three teens. They alerted the rest of the residents to the danger with shouts of "Fire!" before extinguishing the flames themselves. Leeann Cook, a neighbour, was able to get her family to safety because of the boys and their mom.

We just got to bed when I heard the boys yelling 'Fire!' and the mom was out there yelling my name," said Leeann Cook who lives in the townhouse that was on fire… "We came out front to see the boys putting the fire out with a water hose and pillows and whatever they could grab to put it out, that's what they were doing."

As firefighters investigated the scene, another fire started a couple of blocks away. Fortunately, the townhouse it engulfed was under renovation, and there were no people occupying the building. Due to the proximity and timing of the fires, firefighters are considering arson as a possible cause.

"There are concerns an accelerant may have been used," Budai said, calling the fires suspicious. "The second fire was just a few buildings away, so two fires at the same time in the same vicinity obviously is a concern for us."