On Saturday morning, Korey Mansfield, along with his Fiancé and three children, were sound asleep when they were awoken by their smoke detectors.
“The smoke alarms started going off while we were all asleep. I got up and went to the section where the smoke and fire was and flames were shooting from the kitchen.” Mansfield stated.
Not even weeks before the fire, Korey and his Fiancé Mallory, purchased two fire extinguishers. Mallory vividly recalled a house fire she had experienced when she was younger, knowing they needed to have them in the home after spotting them in the store.
When the fire broke out, Korey didn’t hesitate to use the two recently purchased fire extinguishers on the fire that was burning in their kitchen, while Mallory worked on getting the three kids out.
With two fire extinguishers on the fire, Korey was still rushing to put it out, as the home continued to fill with smoke.
With their home in a rural area like Chipman Brook, the fire department is not situated close by, meaning every minute counts. Mansfield knew he had to act quickly until the firefighters got on scene.
After Mansfield used two fire extinguishers, he grabbed the garden hose and continued to fight the fire in the kitchen. Soaking down the walls with water before the fire department had arrived, ultimately saving their home.
“I get goosebumps just talking about it.” Korey shared after asking what made them purchase the fire extinguishers only weeks prior.
The Waterville & District Volunteer Fire Department, along with mutual aid from Kentville and Berwick were alerted to a possible house fire just after 630AM on Saturday, November 22nd.
With the fire being reported in a very rural area, having working smoke alarms and the quick actions by the homeowners saved their lives and the home.
“It’s very important to have smoke detectors, they are your first warning that something is going on. That’s what alerted this family, and it could have been a much different outcome if they didn’t have them.” Waterville Fire Chief, Wayne Johnstone expressed.
The fire department got on scene and checked the home for extension into the walls and worked on ventilating the smoke from the residence.
Waterville Fire Chief applauded the homeowner for their efforts in keeping the fire under control.
“The property owner used his fire extinguishers and garden hose to extinguish the fire. If he didn’t use those, the situation could have been much different when we got there.” Stated Chief Johnstone.
Johnstone confirmed they were confident that the fire was a result of a toaster that was on the counter in the kitchen, that presumably shorted out and subsequently caught fire, burning part of the wall and damaging other appliances, resulting in water and smoke damage throughout the home.
While the cause of the fire is considered accidental, it’s a serious reminder that minutes and even seconds matter in the event of a fire.
Having working smoke alarms and testing them regularly, having fire extinguishers readily available and accessible while also ensuring heating appliances are unplugged, are all crucial steps you can take to protect you and your family.
“If it wasn’t for the smoke detectors it would have killed us. When I got up, there was smoke in our bedroom, 72 feet across the house.” Korey expressed.
Mansfield encourages homeowners to check the batteries in their smoke detectors regularly and to make sure they are working.
“Do it, it’s important, it’s life-saving and that’s what saved our lives.” Stated Korey.
It doesn’t hurt to also acquire a fire extinguisher, if you don’t already have one.
The fire department responded quickly despite the lengthy response to the rural area. Korey and the family are appreciative of their speedy response.
Thankfully, there were no reported injuries as a result of the fire and the home was also insured. The family remains displaced from the residence while insurance and restoration companies work to fix the damages.
Adrian J.
