London firefighters rescued two dogs from a smoke filled home in the east-end, as the dogs' anxious owner waited on the front lawn. But unlike a regular house fire, the flames and danger were all fake.
The London Fire Department simulated the fire at a home on Eldorado Ave. Tuesday to mark the start of Fire Prevention Week and highlight the need for all families to have not one, but two escape plans.
"It's important to have two ways out of the home in the event of fire in case one way gets blocked," said Jack Burt, assistant deputy fire chief. "Everybody should be planning two ways out of their home. Have a meeting place outside that is safe and make sure you practice that home escape plan."
The simulation saw flames blocking the front door of the home, forcing the woman inside to run out the back and to the front yard. She told arriving firefighters her two dogs were still in the house and within minutes they emerged through the smoke carrying both canines to safety.
Neighbours who came to watch the simulation saw first hand how crucial the first few minutes after a fire starts are to getting out alive.
"Fire can spread so fast throughout the home. Fire can reach a flash over stage in about three minutes, which means nobody can survive in the home," said Burt. "It's important to have that early detection. Working smoke alarms save lives. Make sure you have working smoke alarms on every level of your home and outside all sleeping areas."
The fine for not having a working smoke alarm is $360. Homeowners are advised to change the batteries in all of their smoke alarms at least once a year and to replace alarms completely after ten years.
In London, the number one cause of house fires is unattended cooking. Over the Thanksgiving weekend alone, fire crews were called to two such fires in the city.
"If you are cooking stay in the kitchen. We recommend that you stand by your pan, you look while you cook, watch what you heat, and be still by the grill," said Burt.
Over the next five days, firefighters will be visiting area shopping malls, grocery stores, and schools dispensing safety tips to protect Londoners from fire.
Fire Prevention Week continues until October 14.
London Fire Dept. kicking off Fire Prevention Week with an escape simulation on Eldorado Ave.#ldnont pic.twitter.com/qa7JNVTEbE
— BlackburnNewsLondon (@BlackburnLondon) October 10, 2017