It’s a story of heroism.
An early morning fire gutted part of a home on Maywood Road in Kitchener early Saturday morning.
Fire crews rushed to the home just before 5 a.m. to find a house engulfed in flames.
But it was quick action from neighbours that saved the homeowner’s life.
Friends are calling it a miracle and say all odds appeared to be against Harold Dey, a quadriplegic, was trapped inside the home at the time and unable to call 911.
Fire officials say the smoke alarm was working when flames ripped through 54 Maywood Road.
Three doors down, Rhonda O’Neill says it’s like her dog Chester had a sixth sense.
“The dog wanted out and was persistent and wanted out and as soon as I got up I smelled smoke and I actually thought it was in my house.” O’Neill says.
She woke up her husband and discovered it was their neighbour’s home on fire.
Tom O’Neill and a next door neighbour entered the burning building.
“I walked to the side and I could hear Harold yelling for help,” O’Neill says. “Andrew came out; he had a shirt on so he covered his face and went right in.”
Fire officials believe it all started from a burning candle that was left unattended in a back bedroom. The door was closed and that forced the flames upwards instead of throughout the house.
Family friend Laurie Smallwood says Harold thought his 17-year-old son Kalvyn was still in his room. But he had left home hours earlier.
“I’m just grateful that they’re both okay.” Smallwood tells CTV News.
Thanks to a couple of brave neighbours.
“I have to think in this case, every second counted and if it wasn’t for the neighbours, it probably wouldn’t have had the same outcome.” Kitchener Fire Platoon Chief Doug Voisin says.
Harold Dey has been discharged from the hospital where he was treated for smoke inhalation. A firefighter suffered second and third degree burns on his hands after his gloves and gear were melted from the heat.
